Consultant Oscar Piccardo analyzed the reality of downtown galleries in Córdoba and indicated that they are going through a critical moment. He explained that those with open passages between streets manage to stay afloat, while those without exits are weakening. In order to survive, he insisted, they must specialize in sectors capable of attracting the public.
Piccardo stated that many galleries have migrated to less profitable uses and have lost commercial appeal over time. In this context, the occupations are more about self-employment than consolidated small and medium-sized enterprises, which deteriorates the offering. The lack of pedestrian traffic is a key factor in explaining the decline.
The specialist emphasized that every time a store is vacated, a less relevant brand than the previous one arrives. This phenomenon is accentuated in galleries due to low attendance. To reverse the trend, he proposed specialization as a recovery strategy.
Specialization as a value alternative
Piccardo suggested that galleries should adopt themes that justify visits from different parts of the city. One example would be to concentrate products for children, such as toys, books, and educational items. He stated that this sector is underserved in current retail and has the potential to attract the public.
The analyst highlighted that the transformation depends on coordination among store owners. He warned that many times any tenant is accepted just to fill an empty space. This lack of joint strategy hinders any attempt at differentiation and weakens the overall proposal.
