Business · Economy · 5 hrs ago
Card spending falls during Spain’s 11-N general strike
Card payments in Spanish shops fell 22.9% by 6 p.m.
on Wednesday compared with the same time the previous week, according to Redsys data.
The fall came during Spain’s 11-N general strike, which disrupted transport and prompted some businesses to close.
Spending on transport dropped 41%, as minimum services, expected delays and remote work kept people from travelling as usual.
Retail and supermarket purchases were down 28%, while card payments at large retail chains fell 30%.
Heavy rain also kept shoppers away and caused traffic problems, so the strike was not the only factor behind the decline.
Some shops in Madrid and other cities closed for safety, and stores in Barcelona were attacked and looted.
The impact varied sharply by province, with card spending down 61% in Ourense and 54% in Pontevedra, where storms had also caused damage.
The figures cover payments through 6 p.m.; no later outcome is given.
Card payments at shops across Spain were down 22.9% by 18:00 on Wednesday compared with the previous Wednesday, according to Redsys data.
The decline came during the 11-N general strike, with transport card payments down 41%.
Purchases at small shops and large supermarkets were down 28%, while card payments at major retail chains fell 30%.
Heavy rain, transport disruption and shop closures also affected activity.
Card payments fell by 42% in Barcelona, 35% in Seville and 30% in Madrid.
- Who
- Spanish consumers and businesses, with payment figures processed by Redsys.
- What
- Card payments at shops fell during the 11-N general strike. Redsys recorded a 22.9% drop nationally by 18:00 compared with the previous Wednesday.
- When
- Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The figures covered payments up to 18:00.
- Where
- Across Spain, with reported declines in cities and provinces including Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Orense, Pontevedra, Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya.
- Why
- The article links the decline to the general strike, transport disruption, heavy rain and some shops closing for security.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
National card payments at shops were down 22.9% compared with the previous Wednesday.
Violent groups attacked shopfronts of major chains in Barcelona, causing damage, looting and theft.
- National shop card payments
- Down 22.9% by 18:00 compared with the previous Wednesday
- Transport card payments
- Down 41%
- Small shops and supermarkets
- Purchases down 28%
- Major retail chains
- Card payments down 30%
- Barcelona
- Card payments down 42%
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