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Over the two-day programme, workshops, conferences, career guidance sessions and advisory points recorded high levels of participation. Interest in employment opportunities was particularly strong. More than 100 companies and organisations brought nearly 1,200 genuine job vacancies to the event. In addition, over 2,000 interviews were conducted and more than 5,000 individual advisory sessions were delivered to job seekers.

With more than 160 scheduled activities, the Job Fair attracted a broad range of attendees, from young people seeking their first professional experience to individuals looking to reorient their careers or actively searching for employment. Sessions focused on professional skills, lifelong learning and new AI-powered job-search tools generated especially high levels of interest.

Quality Employment Conference

The Job Fair also hosted the second ABOQ Conference under the title Building Quality Employment. With an international dimension, the event brought together nearly 130 institutional representatives, experts, social and business organisations, members of the academic community and public employment service leaders to exchange knowledge and experiences on competitiveness, labour inclusion and job quality.

The ABOQ (Barcelona Agreement for Quality Employment) sets out a collaborative framework between Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, and the city’s leading social and economic stakeholders, alongside social organisations and third-sector entities. The agreement currently brings together almost 90 organisations and nearly 400 professionals committed to promoting policies and initiatives aimed at fostering more stable, inclusive and higher-quality employment.

Local retail in the spotlight

Running alongside the Job Fair, the Retail Fair made its debut as a new meeting point for the sector. Sessions on business succession, retail transformation, innovation, digitalisation and changing consumer habits attracted significant interest from retailers, professionals, trade associations and industry representatives.

Workshops, practical sessions and panel discussions recorded strong participation, highlighting the need for a specialised forum where stakeholders can share experiences, knowledge and tools to strengthen the competitiveness of local retail. Particular attention was paid to generational succession, one of the sector’s key challenges, as well as opportunities linked to business transfers and the long-term continuity of retail establishments.

As part of the Retail Fair, Barcelona Activa organised the conference Retail that Drives Barcelona, aimed at businesses benefiting from the Impulsem el que fas, Crea Feina and B-Crèdits programmes. Through a series of panel discussions, the event highlighted the impact of these support instruments on the city’s economic development while addressing future challenges and opportunities such as generational renewal, digitalisation, traditional trades and entrepreneurship. The conference also served as a platform for recognition, inspiration and networking among local businesses.

The Retail Fair is one of the flagship initiatives of Barcelona European Capital of Local Commerce 2026 and forms part of its long-term legacy. The event benefited from the involvement of the leading institutions and organisations representing the retail sector in both the city and across Catalonia. Held alongside the Job Fair, it also highlighted the close relationship between businesses’ talent needs and people’s professional opportunities, underlining the role of retail as a major source of employment, entrepreneurship and career development.

The next editions of the Saló Ocupació  (Job Fair) and the Saló del Comerç (Retail Fair) will take place at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue on 20 and 21 October 2027.

Barcelona, 22 October 2026

Saló Ocupació 2026 image gallery: here

Saló del Comerç 2026 image gallery: here