The newsstand has not moved from Carrer de Muntaner 447 since the fifties and it has been passed between generations in the family: today it is run by Marta Montes Torredemert
The origin of a family business: Revistas Internacionales Barcelona
The launch of Revistas Internacionales Barcelona dates back to the fifties, when the Montes Torredemert’s bought a newsstand in the district of Sant Gervasi-Galvany, in Barcelona.
The newsstand has not moved out from Carrer de Muntaner 447 since then and it has been passed between generations in the family: firstly her grandparents, then her mother, and today it’s Marta Montes Torredemert who is running the business of selling newspapers, periodicals and magazines at a street level.
The need for international publications in Barcelona
Revistas Internacionales Barcelona aims at diversifying its publications on offer, covering the most requested topics from its clientele: design, fashion, art, architecture and lifestyle. The client base is mainly composed of Barcelonians, but not only. Given the melting pot that is Barcelona and the internationality of the district where the newsstand is located, a considerable slice of customers are people of other nationalities than Spanish.
The international surrounding has encouraged Revistas Internacionales Barcelona to offer a variety of foreign press, which has increased over the years. Its owner claims: «Nowadays for our public, having the vast majority of publications in English is not a problem anymore». By extending its offer with international magazines in foreign languages, Revistas Internacionales Barcelona has also managed to stand out from the other establishments in the same area.
From distributor to customer: the journey of a publication – Revistas Internacionales Barcelona
All publications reach Revistas Internacionales Barcelona through distribution companies. They firstly arrive at the headquarters in Madrid; from there then, they are distributed to the rest of the country.
Marta Montes Torredemert does not only rely on distributors’ suggestions and availability, but she also takes time to listen to her clients’ suggestions. She explains: «If they ask us for a publication that we do not have, we look for it and try to get it».
Revistas Internacionales Barcelona: building human connections
When discussing the potential of such a business, Marta Montes Torredemert underlines how working in a newsstand means more than selling newspapers: «For me, the potential of the kiosk is to be found in the everyday connection with the customers». Selling newspapers and magazines at the newsstand encourages bonding with strangers: perhaps because of the physical closeness inside the space, perhaps because the curiosity and novelty of printing publications make you feel as if you have interests in common with other people.
Working and interacting with many different people at street level on a daily basis leads to the building of a routine based on trust, sincerity and feeling accompanied. The newsstand owner reveals how the business has had an impact on her personal development: «Over the years, I have realized that personal relationships and relationships with the territory are more beneficial to me than what I thought».
The future of paper and the value of printed magazines
For some years now, the magazine business has undergone considerable changes, due to the expanding of digital media and the popularity of online content. Despite the digital revolution, there are publications that still have managed to continue publishing in print as well as online, finding their ways to adapt to the changing media landscape.
When talking about the future of paper, the owner of Revistas Internacionales Barcelona believes that digital publications could never completely replace print ones. She claims: «Digital magazines have many advantages, but people should not misjudge the value and potential of print».
When it comes to magazines, there are readers who still prefer a tangible publication. There is something about holding a magazine in your hands and flipping through its pages that still captivates people. Marta Montes Torredemerts is positive about the future of paper: «I trust and hope that there will continue to be romantics who like to savor paper and who appreciate it, especially emerging publications in the form of high quality format and carefully printed magazines or books».
Being present in the territory: Revistas Internacionales Barcelona
In a digitalized world, Revistas Internacionales Barcelona believes in the value of a local business, where the relationship with the customer is protected by someone who lives in the community, who is less likely to leave and is more invested in the community’s future. Marta Montes Torredemert cares about establishing trustworthy connections with her clientele: «Before making the purchase, it is always better to be advised by someone, to see and to touch the product».
Revistas Internacionales Barcelona, Barcelona
Carrer de Muntaner 447, 08021 Barcelona. Run by Marta Montes Torredemert, the newsstand offers a variety of local and international publications at street level.
