elpais.com
Lisbon's Historic Shops Fight for Survival Against Global Competition
Lisbon's historic Rua da Conceição street, once home to seven haberdasheries, now struggles to keep four open, despite the city's 'Loja Com História' program aimed at protecting traditional businesses, facing competition from global brands and high rents.
- What are the long-term implications for Lisbon's urban identity if the trend of traditional shop closures continues?
- The survival of Lisbon's traditional shops hinges on a complex interplay of factors, including local consumer behavior and global economic forces. While there's public support for preserving these shops, the reality is a struggle for survival against aggressive investors and changing consumption habits, underscoring a broader tension between local identity and global commerce.
- How effective has Lisbon's 'Loja Com História' program been in preserving traditional shops, and what are its limitations?
- Lisbon's 'Loja Com História' program, aiming to preserve traditional businesses, has seen 18.5% of the initial 199 shops close, highlighting the challenge of protecting local businesses against rising rents and global brands. High buyout offers from investment funds pressure owners to close, even with legal protections.
- What is the impact of global brands and investment funds on the survival of traditional businesses in Lisbon's historic areas?
- In Lisbon, four of seven traditional haberdasheries on Rua da Conceição street remain, facing competition from global brands and souvenir shops. Bijou, a haberdashery founded in 1915, exemplifies this struggle, balancing longtime local customers with tourists. The shop's historical value was recognized with a 'Loja Com História' designation in 2016.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around the struggle of traditional shops against powerful forces, eliciting sympathy for the small businesses. The headline (though not provided) likely emphasizes this David vs. Goliath narrative. The focus on the emotional impact of shop closures reinforces this framing.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language such as "agreste y contradictorio" (harsh and contradictory market) and "muy agresivos" (very aggressive) to describe the actions of investors, which could influence the reader's perception. Neutral alternatives could include 'competitive market' and 'strong business practices'. The description of souvenir shops could also be considered loaded: the phrase "donde el verdadero negocio está en cobrarle al extranjero" suggests an unethical practice, though the article doesn't necessarily claim it is.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the challenges faced by traditional shops in Lisbon, but it omits analysis of government support or policies beyond the Loja Com História program. It also doesn't explore the perspectives of landlords or investors, only mentioning their aggressive tactics. The impact of online shopping on these businesses is also not discussed.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between global brands and traditional shops, neglecting the possibility of coexistence or alternative models that blend tradition with modern business practices. It also simplifies the motivations of investors, portraying them as purely profit-driven without acknowledging any potential interest in preserving Lisbon's heritage.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the displacement of traditional businesses in Lisbon by large global brands and investment funds, leading to the loss of unique local shops and impacting the city's cultural identity and historical character. This negatively affects the goal of building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.