The Commercial Sector in an Early-Twentieth Century Spanish City, La Coruña 1914-1935

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the weight and evolution of commercial distribution in a medium-sized Spanish city. The paper is divided into four main parts, the first of which analyzes retail studies within a historical context. The second looks at the basic structure and the evolution of the commercial sector in La Coruña from an aggregate perspective, and subsequently distinguishes between retail and wholesale activities. Finally, details are given as to the composition of the sector, according to subgroups of activity. Although the paper has a local focus, an attempt has been made to situate the city's commercial activity within the wider context of the Spanish urban system, and in particular, of medium-sized Spanish cities. The discussion continues to reach some general conclusions about this sector as a whole.