The economy of proximity. By

Javier Lopez Calvet

The search for local products, commitment to local trade and close customer relationships are becoming more and more important in the current business landscape.

Neighborhood shops, local markets and small businesses are once again becoming the heart of communities. Its importance goes beyond mere commercial transactions; These shops are pillars of personal relationships, promoters of local economies and guardians of sustainable practices.

Therefore, driven by the rise of social and environmental responsibility, consumers are no longer only looking for quality products; But they value a close connection with their environment and a greater awareness of the future consequences of their way of consumption.

The reliability, transparency and proximity of their purchases are increasingly appreciated, and this change in their mindset favors local products, both of which can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation, to purchase. By boosting the local economy and strengthening community ties.

In this context, we at Tia are committed to the economic revitalization of the communities in which we operate and to the provision of quality food at affordable prices.

To fulfill this commitment, we establish strong collaborations with local suppliers, making our mission a reality: to be close to the people and provide them with healthy food that is accessible to all.

Fully aware of the scale of the entire process, Tia's work goes beyond selecting the best local dishes. Suppliers have a fundamental role to play, contributing significantly to the sustainability of the ecosystem and enhancing the quality of all products that are part of our supply chain.

The direct relationship between retailers and local producers – in our case we work with more than 1,200 Spanish suppliers, from whom we purchase 97% – not only guarantees the freshness of products, but also improves the local economy by providing support to local people. Farmers and Artisans.

This direct interaction between producers and consumers contributes to greater transparency in the supply chain, thus promoting sustainable and ethical practices and promoting sustainable consumption.

On the other hand, we cannot ignore the importance of balanced nutrition, we recognize that to maintain people's well-being, both physical and emotional, it should be available to everyone, regardless of their location or budget.

Therefore, as a socially conscious actor, we are committed to reducing the food gap and promoting measures to adopt healthy eating habits in all areas where we operate.

This has led to the development of an extensive network of local stores and a robust online presence to be closer to our customers. With more than 2,300 stores across the country (60% of people have a store less than 15 minutes walk from their home) and an online channel reaching 84% of the population (35 million people), including 93% of municipalities, over 10,000 citizens, Thea offers a differentiated value proposition, offering quality, diverse food. Guarantees affordable access.

From this position of near certainty, we believe it is necessary to accept the challenge of creating a positive impact on society through one key lever: food.

For this reason, the Eat Better Every Day program was born, which is an integral part of the Thea Sustainability Program and focuses on ensuring that all citizens have access to high-quality and diverse foods to suit different needs and lifestyles.

Undoubtedly, the biggest challenge in the supply chain lies in understanding the impact of our actions and finding a balance between business and responsibility.

The consumer has already started to change his mindset, and now we are the big chains that need to come with him by encouraging increasingly conscious purchases that strengthen local economies and reduce their environmental footprint.

In this mission, local stores are a key tool to reflect the philosophy of responsible consumption. By prioritizing them, we will invest in sustainability locally and globally, creating a future where society and environment thrive together.

Javier López Calvet is the Director of Sustainability and Finance at Día España. Green Opinion Creators #CDO is a collective blog organized by

Arturo Lorena

Director of EFEverde

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Other Forums of Green Opinion Creators (#CDO) There is this blog of “green influencers”.