Mauricio Arregui, President of Cámara “A competitive region needs a strong, well-prepared retail sector. Our commitment is to help retailers make decisions with better tools, greater insight and more confidence”.
Cámarahas also recognised IKO Igeldo Kooperatiba in the Sustainable Retail category, Ness By Esti García in Ordizia in the Basque Retail School category, and 10 Bitxiak, one retailer from each of the region’s districts.
Donostia / San Sebastián - 29 May 2026 - Cámara de Gipuzkoa today named Pescadería ESPE in Donostia Gipuzkoa Retailer of the Year 2026 at the Gipuzkoa Retail Awards ceremony. At this 32nd edition, awards were also presented to IKO Igeldo Kooperatiba in Donostia in the Sustainable Retail category, and to NESS By Esti García in Ordizia in the Basque Retail School category for continuing professional development. In addition to these awards, Cámara de Gipuzkoa once again sought to bring the awards to all parts of Gipuzkoa by presenting the “10bitxiak” award to 10 retailers, one from each district in the region.
The event was held in Donostia, at the headquarters of Cámara de Gipuzkoa,with Jakes Aguirrezabal, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Trade of the Basque Government, Amaia Arregui, Director General of Economic Promotion at the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Ane Oyarbide, second deputy mayor and Councillor for Equality, Economy and Local Employment at Donostia / San Sebastián City Council. The awards were sponsored by the Basque Government-EuskoJaurlaritza, Iberdrola, Kutxabank,Ukabi-Wolters Kluwer and Agua de Alzola.
This year, the event focused on the competitiveness of retail in the region. The President of Cámara de Gipuzkoa, Mauricio Arregui, highlighted the importance of having a competitive retail sector in the face of the ongoing challenges confronting the industry.
“A competitive region needs a strong, well-prepared retail sector. A region’s competitiveness is measured not only by its large companies or economic figures; it is also reflected in the life of its streets, the quality of its shops and its ability to create attractive, welcoming and vibrant environments,” he said.
Cámara de Gipuzkoa also points out that supporting retailers today means helping them evolve, improve profitability, adopt new tools, train their teams and adapt to consumers whose needs are constantly changing.
“We know that every retailer is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our commitment is to help them make decisions with better tools, greater insight and more confidence.”
AWARD-WINNING BUSINESSES
1. GIPUZKOA RETAIL AWARD: Pescadería ESPE
With 88 years of history, Pescadería Espe is located at stall 12 in La Bretxa market in Donostia. It is currently run by Carolina Archeli, the third generation to lead the business. A nurse with a master’s degree in nutrition, she has driven a significant shift from the traditional fishmonger model towards a more innovative, customer-focused and approachable approach.
In response to changing consumer habits, the business has introduced digitalisation and service-based processes to bring its offer closer to customers. These include daily product updates and cooking recommendations via WhatsApp and YouTube, as well as a home delivery service and collection points in partnership with shops in different neighbourhoods across the city.
Team management and wellbeing are another key pillar, with a focus on engagement and autonomy that allows the business to develop its strategy more effectively. Carolina Archeli also carries out significant outreach work on the nutritional properties of fish, helping to promote healthy eating through training for future fishmongers, specialist articles and publications.
For all these reasons, Pescadería Espe stands out for its ability to adapt to new market demands, its customer focus and quality of service, and its modernisation in a traditional sector. Its model brings together digitalisation, professional management, health promotion and collaboration between local retailers, making it a benchmark for the development and innovation of local retail.
2. SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARD: IKO Igeldo Kooperatiba
The Igeldo cooperative traces its roots back to 1911, when it began as an initiative to strengthen the partnership between producers and consumers, with the aim of creating value for the village and from within the village. In 2005, thanks to the collaboration and involvement of local residents, its current shop and headquarters were established, consolidating a project deeply rooted in the community.
IKO promotes a sustainable business model aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of Igeldo and the surrounding area through a local, high-quality shop with strong community ties. Its main objectives include revitalising the local economy, promoting local and organic produce, and supporting the area’s producers.
The cooperative also contributes to a sustainable tourism model, offering visitors an experience that combines local products with Igeldo’s natural and historical heritage. It also actively raises awareness of responsible and sustainable consumption among both local residents and visitors to the area.
The project is grounded in the principles of social, environmental and economic sustainability, with the democratic participation of its members at the heart of its operations.
3. BASQUE RETAIL SCHOOL AWARD: Ness by Esti García
NESS by Esti García is a multi-brand concept store selling women’s clothing and accessories in Ordizia. With more than 25 years of history, it has established itself as a leading business in its sector. Led by Esti García, the driving force behind the project and its personal brand, the shop underwent a major transformation in 2020, refreshing its image and value proposition and adopting the name NESS by Esti García.
Its current approach is focused on offering a welcoming, thoughtful and pressure-free shopping experience, where customers can feel at ease, receive professional styling advice and enjoy the process in a relaxed setting, with thoughtful touches such as a coffee during their visit.
Innovation and continuous improvement are fundamental to its day-to-day work, with a strong commitment to ongoing training. Esti García actively takes part in courses, conferences, webinars, forums, trend missions and personalised advisory sessions, applying the knowledge and experience gained to the business.
For all these reasons, NESS by Esti García has been recognised as an example of a positive attitude, proactivity, perseverance, innovation and commitment to continuous learning. It has also made a significant contribution to the Basque Retail School, exemplary in its application of training activities, active contribution to the network of retailers and promotion of collaboration and improvement across the sector.
4. 10 BITXIAK. TEN OUTSTANDING RETAIL BUSINESSES IN EACH OF GIPUZKOA’S DISTRICTS
The 10 Bitxiak category recognises ten outstanding retailers across the region, one from each of Gipuzkoa’s districts. The initiative highlights businesses that embody the quality, history and contribution of local retail in their communities.
In this edition, nominations were collected through an open process. The winning businesses were nominated both by members of the public and by Gipuzkoa’s retail community through the channels provided by Cámara de Gipuzkoa.
The aim of this category is to extend recognition through the awards to every part of the region, raising the profile of leading retailers in each district and reinforcing the role of local retail as an economic and social driver in Gipuzkoa.
- Buruntzaldea, ORMAZABAL LORADENDA
- Debagoiena, RAOS
- Debabarrena, Pitxintxu
- Goierri, LEIRESH
- Donostialdea, INMA LO
- Bidasoa, Pastelería Aguirre
- Oarsoaldea, LARRARTE
- Tolosaldea, BOUTIQUE MP
- Urola Garaia, Julita Mertzeria
- Urola Kosta, The Pass
