Large commercial centres in Andalucia will be permitted to open on ten public holidays per year after the Junta de Andalucia issued a decree amending the Domestic Trade Law, adhering to the minimum levels set by the Royal Decree in an apparent effort to protect small and medium-sized businesses.
Retail sales in Andalucia down by 7.8% in 2012
Retail sales in Andalucia fell by 7.8% during 2012 and employment in the retail sector was down by 1.5%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Unemployment predicted to rise in Andalucia
Economic Analysts Andalucia, a Unicaja research company, is forecasting a fall in GDP in Andalucia this year of 1.6% with a decrease in activity in all sectors. The situation is expected to be particularly acute in Huelva and Jaén.
Problems in school meals service in Andalucia
The Ministry of Education of the Junta de Andalucia, through the Andalucian Public Entity for Infrastructure and Educational Services (ESI), has started proceedings to cancel the contract with the company Brassica Group for the supply of school meals in the region.
First babies of the year in Andalucia
Blanca, weighing in at 2.915 kilos, was born at two minutes past midnight in Ronda hospital, Málaga province, to become the first newborn of 2013 in Andalucia, according to the Ministry of Health. Four minutes later at the Hospital Inmaculada in Huércal-Overa, Almería, saw the arrival of Daniela who weighed in at 3.630 kilos.
Bookshops in decline in Andalucia
The crisis and piracy are two of the factors being blamed for a 35% decline in sales in bookshops in Andalucia in the past three years.
Fireworks confiscated
Guardia Civil officers have so far confiscated 20,906 fireworks in Andalucia during the festive period, a special unit having been set up to control irregularities in the manufacture, sale, transport and storage of fireworks. Eight establishments have been sanctioned for possessing illegal products, products without proper documentation or storing too many fireworks.
Intensified safety inspections
The Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs of the Junta de Andalucia has intensified the inspection of halls, nightclubs, discos and other entertainment venues whose capacity exceeds 700 people and is asking the promoters of Christmas parties and other festive gatherings to take the utmost care and comply with all the necessary safety regulations and administrative requirements.
Four killed on the roads in Andalucia at the weekend
Four people lost their lives on the roads in Andalucia over the weekend in four fatal accidents, these occurring in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), Puente Genil (Córdoba) Villalba del Alcor (Huelva) and Alcalá la Real (Jaén).
Domestic tourism remains in decline
Around 14 million tourists have visited Andalucia during 2012, which is 2.4% less than during 2011. Foreign tourist numbers have increased, but this has been offset by a fall in domestic tourism.