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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/)
-   -   What is happening to Madrid! (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/what-happening-madrid-811368/)

steviedeluxe Oct 20th 2013 8:05 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Well I'm in Madrid and you can see plenty of new enterprises, cake shops, bars and pintxo places up and running. The theatres and cinemas seem popular too. The hotel we're currently in seems to have various French, American and south American customers. The one venture I fear for is Campers, the shoe shop. They always seem empty. The Apple stores are rarely full either, but I imagine they make money when a new model comes out.

Dick Dasterdly Oct 20th 2013 9:00 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
http://www.thelocal.es/20131011/a-co...ll-to-the-brim

Well at least you got one thing right Stevie. :thumbup:

chopera Oct 20th 2013 11:10 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10953158)
Well I'm in Madrid and you can see plenty of new enterprises, cake shops, bars and pintxo places up and running. The theatres and cinemas seem popular too. The hotel we're currently in seems to have various French, American and south American customers. The one venture I fear for is Campers, the shoe shop. They always seem empty. The Apple stores are rarely full either, but I imagine they make money when a new model comes out.
I suspect Camper are suffering from the fact that their shoes tend to look trendy but give no support. People tend not to go back to a brand if it damages their feet or knees. I think Apple are due to open a huge store in Sol - where the Hotel Paris used to be - people may be waiting for that as well. With a 4 Seasons due to open next door as well, I expect that area to do well.

cricketman Oct 20th 2013 6:49 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by chopera (Post 10953318)
I suspect Camper are suffering from the fact that their shoes tend to look trendy but give no support. People tend not to go back to a brand if it damages their feet or knees. .
I only have Camper shoes, I have about 8 pairs, buy a new pair every year. My wife does too. They give excellent support and are made for walking, as their slogan says

Camper over expanded during the boom times. Obviously not everyone is willing to pair 150 euros for a pair of shoes

steviedeluxe Oct 20th 2013 7:54 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
I'm still not totally convinced by El Corte Ingles, although you see plenty of people in their stores. How many are actually buying though? I have heard good things about their new 'gourmet experience' but until I hear people telling me they get their gear from ECI I'll be a sceptic. Potentially they could really perform a lot better, but they suffer from the old-style management that is too inward-looking.

cricketman Oct 20th 2013 8:02 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10953659)
I'm still not totally convinced by El Corte Ingles, although you see plenty of people in their stores. How many are actually buying though? I have heard good things about their new 'gourmet experience' but until I hear people telling me they get their gear from ECI I'll be a sceptic. Potentially they could really perform a lot better, but they suffer from the old-style management that is too inward-looking.
We buy a lot of stuff from El Corte Ingles. They used to be very pricey but are very competitive nowadays. At least half the money we spend in the shops is spent there

They have very good furniture nowadays and the TVs etc are better than the ones offered in MediaMarkt etc and at competitive prices (the smart TV I bought was 100 euros cheaper than the price in the UK for example)

And at rebajas time you can get amazing bargains in their clothes and sportswear sections. Last winter I kitted myself out with ski gear, everything at half price

The problem is that everyone still thinks El Corte Ingles is expensive, and of course compared to Mercadona and teh cheap clothes shops, of course they are. But there is no comparison in terms of quality.

ECI has suffered as Spaniards have started shopping based on price. Believe it or not, this was actually not very important to them during boom times

chopera Oct 20th 2013 8:12 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10953659)
I'm still not totally convinced by El Corte Ingles, although you see plenty of people in their stores. How many are actually buying though? I have heard good things about their new 'gourmet experience' but until I hear people telling me they get their gear from ECI I'll be a sceptic. Potentially they could really perform a lot better, but they suffer from the old-style management that is too inward-looking.
The Gourmet Experience on the top floor of the Corte Inglés in Callao is good. I especially like a restaurant called "xo street" there, also there's a good dim sum place there, and fantastic views down Gran Via. The shop food is way over priced though.

I often buy stuff from El Corte Inglés - the trick is to wait for a "Semana Fantastica" or "8 días de oro" when they'll knock the prices down. Also people buy presents there because people can always return them if they don't like them. They have an advantage in that they are a complete monopoly - there are hardly any other department store chains in Spain, well not in the city centres at least. It would be good if a chain like Zara branched out and offered them some competition.

cricketman Oct 20th 2013 8:20 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by chopera (Post 10953682)
The Gourmet Experience on the top floor of the Corte Inglés in Callao is good. I especially like a restaurant called "xo street" there, also there's a good dim sum place there, and fantastic views down Gran Via. The shop food is way over priced though.

I often buy stuff from El Corte Inglés - the trick is to wait for a "Semana Fantastica" or "8 días de oro" when they'll knock the prices down. Also people buy presents there because people can always return them if they don't like them. They have an advantage in that they are a complete monopoly - there are hardly any other department store chains in Spain, well not in the city centres at least. It would be good if a chain like Zara branched out and offered them some competition.
Cortefiel is the traditional competitor, certainly in terms of the clothes selection. Not very nice though, its more down-market, a bit like Debenhams while ECI is John Lewis

Zara have Zara Home which while pretty good, is at least as expensive as ECI

chopera Oct 20th 2013 8:27 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 10953669)
We buy a lot of stuff from El Corte Ingles. They used to be very pricey but are very competitive nowadays. At least half the money we spend in the shops is spent there

They have very good furniture nowadays and the TVs etc are better than the ones offered in MediaMarkt etc and at competitive prices (the smart TV I bought was 100 euros cheaper than the price in the UK for example)

And at rebajas time you can get amazing bargains in their clothes and sportswear sections. Last winter I kitted myself out with ski gear, everything at half price

The problem is that everyone still thinks El Corte Ingles is expensive, and of course compared to Mercadona and teh cheap clothes shops, of course they are. But there is no comparison in terms of quality.

ECI has suffered as Spaniards have started shopping based on price. Believe it or not, this was actually not very important to them during boom times
Agree with this. We just bought a bookcase from their Urban Class range - really pleased with it - there are very few stores that offer furniture like that.

chopera Oct 20th 2013 8:31 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 10953690)
Cortefiel is the traditional competitor, certainly in terms of the clothes selection. Not very nice though, its more down-market, a bit like Debenhams while ECI is John Lewis

Zara have Zara Home which while pretty good, is at least as expensive as ECI
However I don't think those stores offer the complete works like ECI. No food section, electronics, etc. I think Zara Home is just textiles as well - no furniture as such. Zara have been buying up prime retail space in the centre of Madrid, around the Slamanca area, so I'm hoping they'll branch out a bit.

jackytoo Oct 20th 2013 8:59 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
I like Zara home. ECI customer service is the best in Spain. Never went a bundle over their clothes though. Aimed at the very young or very old in Marbella.

jackytoo Oct 21st 2013 4:55 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10953158)
Well I'm in Madrid and you can see plenty of new enterprises, cake shops, bars and pintxo places up and running. The theatres and cinemas seem popular too. The hotel we're currently in seems to have various French, American and south American customers. The one venture I fear for is Campers, the shoe shop. They always seem empty. The Apple stores are rarely full either, but I imagine they make money when a new model comes out.
You have moved to Madrid and living in a hotel:blink: Are you rich, have you won the lottery:rofl:

Domino Oct 21st 2013 6:59 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10953725)
I like Zara home. ECI customer service is the best in Spain. Never went a bundle over their clothes though. Aimed at the very young or very old in Marbella.
surely there isn't anything inbetween in Marbella Jacky ??

:p

Domino Oct 21st 2013 7:01 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10954348)
You have moved to Madrid and living in a hotel:blink: Are you rich, have you won the lottery:rofl:
ok "only Granada" but we have a recently refurbed 4* hotel that is currently doing room only for 29.95 €.

and we stayed for a short while in that hotel 4 years ago when the BH started working here, whilst the flat she was moving into was refurbished by the landlord

:)

Domino Oct 21st 2013 7:11 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10953659)
I'm still not totally convinced by El Corte Ingles, although you see plenty of people in their stores. How many are actually buying though? I have heard good things about their new 'gourmet experience' but until I hear people telling me they get their gear from ECI I'll be a sceptic. Potentially they could really perform a lot better, but they suffer from the old-style management that is too inward-looking.
was in ECI today, as we have 2 in Granada, along with 2 Hipercor's and 1 Supercor (where the tills are continually full of women queueing to pay for clothing as they seem to have a permanant sale).

The Gourmet Experience is great, many fine brandies and whiskey's, various other things, had a word with the manager as the top end Rums are few and far between and he has given me the contact in Madrid Head Office to put forward suggestions to the product range. :thumbup:

Perhaps some of the old management are clinging on, but they know they have super stores in key locations and have to move with the times. The main store in Granada is next to a much used church and the television cameras are always picking up their windows when recording the faithful entering and leaving.

Over the decades I have bought cheap, and kept on buying cheap because it didn't last very long. Now retired I want quality and that is what I get at ECI, along with knowledgable staff who know their products, even when buying a cup of coffee on the top floor.
And more of their staff are speaking English, which can take some of the pain out of dreary old shopping
:thumbsup:

chopera Nov 17th 2013 12:53 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Bin strike over apparently! Madrid in the ascendency?

http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2013/11/...103_1384602547

http://ep00.epimg.net/ccaa/imagenes/...bum_normal.jpg

Dick Dasterdly Nov 17th 2013 10:43 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
I don't think the locals are quite so impressed, especially with "La Botella".

chopera Nov 17th 2013 11:10 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly (Post 10995531)
I don't think the locals are quite so impressed, especially with "La Botella".
That's because she's useless.

Domino Nov 23rd 2013 11:37 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by chopera (Post 10994999)
probably something to do with a new issue of PPE and stacks of overtime at enhanced rates ??

Granada had a similar problem a few months ago, something to do with salaries and job cuts because the street cleaning and bin collections are outsourced and the company concerned was looking to make more profit.

.

Dick Dasterdly Jan 16th 2014 5:59 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10932850)
Tourism down 22%. Empty tourist buses, dirty streets, unfinished projects, cancelled concerts and events. Can't be just the Iberia/BA factor surely. There are plenty of other airlines who fly there:blink: Perhaps it's the cuts in spending.

http://politica.elpais.com/politica/...35_707943.html

Some photos here: Titled "Madrid's decay"

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/10/05/...818_1381009720
.....and now an extension of the Burgos riots has hit town.

http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/16/s...eads-to-madrid

Hopefully this year can't be any worse than last, with the Olympic and Casino shambles to boot.

steviedeluxe Jan 27th 2014 9:02 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Interesting plans to redevelop the plaza de España. Hope they get this right - there was a very nice craft market over the Christmas period there.

http://www.madridiario.es/noticia/ma...-espana/408125

chopera Jan 27th 2014 9:30 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
That is one of the buildings on Plaza España that has been "okupado" in recent years. The other two have now been demolished to make way for hotels as well. Next to it is Torre Madrid (where I used to work) where you can now buy perhaps the best penthouse in Madrid, if you've €5 million burning a hole in your pocket:

http://www.propiedades-singulares.es...32-vivienda-3/

steviedeluxe Jan 29th 2014 5:05 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Not everyone enjoys their time in Madrid. Michael Owen found it hard.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/col...s-at-home.html

anabellls Jan 29th 2014 5:33 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10934374)
Madrid has never had the wow factor for me. Prefer Barcelona. Never found Madrid dirty (although I read they have recently sacked about a third of Council cleaners). Doesn't compare with other major cities like Paris, Rome, Vienna and of course, London.
Absolutely, but it is much cheaper in comparison and except of Rome, by far the sunniest.
Nowadays, the unemployment rate rose to 26% and with over 56% of young unemployment, and no future solutions, it shows a decadent society. Rubbish was all over the city during the recent strike.

Barcelona is a different story,

Domino Jan 29th 2014 7:24 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10934374)
Madrid has never had the wow factor for me. Prefer Barcelona. Never found Madrid dirty (although I read they have recently sacked about a third of Council cleaners). Doesn't compare with other major cities like Paris, Rome, Vienna and of course, London.
Originally Posted by anabellls (Post 11102982)
Absolutely, but it is much cheaper in comparison and except of Rome, by far the sunniest.
Nowadays, the unemployment rate rose to 26% and with over 56% of young unemployment, and no future solutions, it shows a decadent society. Rubbish was all over the city during the recent strike.

Barcelona is a different story,
The problem is that the council cleaners were TUPE'd to a contractor, who wasn't happy about the level of profit being made from the deal so laid off a number of workers and reduced the salaries of the others, as shown in my earlier post
Originally Posted by Domino (Post 11005148)
Granada had a similar problem a few months ago, something to do with salaries and job cuts because the street cleaning and bin collections are outsourced and the company concerned was looking to make more profit..
Perhaps some should watch more television news and read the posters the protesters are waving around.

outsourcing can be a good thing, but it is relatively new in Spain and at this level it only takes a small spark to have the Unions doing a Miriam (Karlin) and saying "everyone out".

chopera Jan 29th 2014 9:45 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by anabellls (Post 11102982)
Absolutely, but it is much cheaper in comparison and except of Rome, by far the sunniest.
Nowadays, the unemployment rate rose to 26% and with over 56% of young unemployment, and no future solutions, it shows a decadent society. Rubbish was all over the city during the recent strike.

Barcelona is a different story,
Yes Barcelona has higher unemployment and less sunshine.

Not quite sure what your point is though.

steviedeluxe Jan 29th 2014 8:18 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
This may be of use to anyone visiting Madrid - a calendar of events of interest to English speakers eg quiz nights, music gigs etc:

http://www.englishwarehouse.com/calendar.asp

anabellls Jan 31st 2014 12:01 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by chopera (Post 11103496)
Yes Barcelona has higher unemployment and less sunshine.

Not quite sure what your point is though.
I see Barcelona with better eyes, beach, nice buildings, well-organised, and overall less trouble. The problems with the major resulting in rubbish all over my street could have been easily solved. Same with unemployment. There is something happening to Madrid that it is disturbing. Definitely not the best time to live here.

steviedeluxe Jan 31st 2014 9:11 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by anabellls (Post 11106961)
I see Barcelona with better eyes, beach, nice buildings, well-organised, and overall less trouble. The problems with the major resulting in rubbish all over my street could have been easily solved. Same with unemployment. There is something happening to Madrid that it is disturbing. Definitely not the best time to live here.
Hah, you mean Barcelona has a better grip on street crime? :rofl:
Not sure why a rubbish strike is supposed to be worse in Madrid than elsewhere - there was a major strike in Brighton last summer, but no sensible person would surely use that as a reason not to visit the resort now?
By the way there is currently a similar strike in Alcorcon (a town to the south-west of Madrid) but because tourists and guiris generally don't go there, guess what, no one here is talking about it!

On another note, the brunch craze shows no sigh yet of abating ( I suspect it'll be the onset of warm weather that slows it down)

chopera Jan 31st 2014 10:55 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by anabellls (Post 11106961)
I see Barcelona with better eyes, beach, nice buildings, well-organised, and overall less trouble. The problems with the major resulting in rubbish all over my street could have been easily solved. Same with unemployment. There is something happening to Madrid that it is disturbing. Definitely not the best time to live here.
And you live there?

chopera Jan 31st 2014 11:12 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by anabellls (Post 11106961)
I see Barcelona with better eyes, beach, nice buildings, well-organised, and overall less trouble. The problems with the major resulting in rubbish all over my street could have been easily solved. Same with unemployment. There is something happening to Madrid that it is disturbing. Definitely not the best time to live here.
As I mentioned previously Barcelona has more unemployment, and also higher levels of street crime and prostitution. However in many ways I prefer Barcelona to Madrid - more pleasing on the eye, and not stuck in the middle of the meseta. However when it comes to chosing where to live, things like employment and the fact that nearly every Catalan you meet has a huge chip in their shoulder and is likely to bore you to death with their Catalanismo shifts the balance in favour of Madrid.

steviedeluxe Jan 31st 2014 11:22 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by chopera (Post 11107484)
As I mentioned previously Barcelona has more unemployment, and also higher levels of street crime and prostitution. However in many ways I prefer Barcelona to Madrid - more pleasing on the eye, and not stuck in the middle of the meseta. However when it comes to chosing where to live, things like employment and the fact that nearly every Catalan you meet has a huge chip in their shoulder and is likely to bore you to death with their Catalanismo shifts the balance in favour of Madrid.
:goodpost:

There are good points and bad points to each city. I like the fact that you don't have to cope with language politics in Madrid, the water is of a good quality, and the free aperitivo regime (amongst other things). But I'd be the first to admit that Barcelona has certain advantages in being close to the sea (and to France), and in its visual layout. I've also built up a support network over the years in Madrid (I've known the place for 25 years now). I'd find it very hard to try and get work or start a business in Barcelona. I'll keep it as a holiday destination, but I can't argue with those who think it's a better place to live. Just not for me.

agoreira Feb 3rd 2014 12:00 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Want a home in Madrid for €1,000, no bills to pay, free electricity, water, gas, maybe even free heating?
http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/02/03/...83_050224.html

steviedeluxe Feb 3rd 2014 12:25 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Quite where they are going to fit all these (there appears to be a 100M or La Sureña on every corner in some parts) but the fast food operator Restalia intend to take on 4,000 employees in Madrid in 2014 as they continue expanding. Interesting to see if "TheGoodBurger" takes off - being talked about as a McDs killer..

http://www.eleconomista.es/interstit...s-en-2014.html

Dick Dasterdly Feb 3rd 2014 2:05 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 11110683)
Interesting to see if "TheGoodBurger" takes off - being talked about as a McDs killer..
....or maybe a tapas killer Stevie ;) :rofl: as seems to be the case around here and a few other places I've been to lately.

All manner of fast food seems to be the order of the day amongst many Spanish now.
Even in our tiny local pueblo there are pizza joints, kebab joints, burgers and all the rest replacing traditional bars, some of which have recently been converted to make way for them.

steviedeluxe Apr 21st 2014 7:59 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
It's been missed - but now it's back...

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1751599/thumbs/o-PEPE-900.jpg

Domino Apr 21st 2014 10:11 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 11228738)
It's been missed - but now it's back...

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1751599/thumbs/o-PEPE-900.jpg
that can't be Madrid - those are People standing around watching
;)

Dick Dasterdly Apr 23rd 2014 11:25 am
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Originally Posted by Domino (Post 11228851)
that can't be Madrid - those are People standing around watching
;)
I think I can see a customer in one of those bars.

Probably find out for sure tomorrow on the Spain is booming thread, I guess. ;)

chopera Apr 23rd 2014 8:07 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
Tourism to Madrid up by 6.6% in first quarter, with a 71.5% increase in British tourists:

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2118...marzo/aumenta/

jackytoo Apr 23rd 2014 8:18 pm
Re: What is happening to Madrid!
 
The 71.5% figure sounds a bit far fetched:confused: must have been from a low level. Could be they are counting bums on seats and many were Spaniards flying in from the UK for the holiday.


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