Barcelona City Hall has decided to ban dark shops.

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This resolution of the city’s leadership deals a blow to the fast trade industry. The Mayor’s Office has removed distribution centers from the space of legality, which are necessary for the activities of fast delivery companies, for example, Glovo and Getir.

The city administration explained its decision to preserve traditional shops and preserve the quality of life of Barcelona residents. The mayor’s office also says that dark shops cause tension in some professional communities.

Barcelona is not the first European city to apply the practice of banning the activities of dark shops. Earlier, similar decisions were made in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In February last year, a moratorium on the opening of new dark shops was introduced in these cities. In response, Flink, Getyr, Gorillas, and Zapp signed a joint code of conduct, committing themselves not to open outlets on central streets, in pedestrian zones, and near schools. The complex of behavior for companies has not become an absolute salvation. Zapp has completely withdrawn from the Dutch market, and Getir plans to buy its competitor Gorillas.

In Paris, the city Council also banned the opening of new dark shops in residential areas and crowded places. Currently, in Europe, city halls are using all the opportunities they have to displace such stores in industrial and commercial parks that are located outside urban areas.

The European fast trading industry is currently under serious pressure. The actions of municipal authorities in this area are not the only influence factor limiting their activities. Against the background of the general economic downturn, the fast trade industry faced a growth problem.

Now London is one of the main places for Q-commerce all over the world. UK legislation provides for more favorable conditions for the development of the fast trade industry.

As we have reported earlier, Glovo partnered with popular discounter group from Germany.