Tertiary sector

Commerce and Finances

In the commercial structure the small retailer is very important, although in the last few years this has gradually declined, generally as a result of the coming of great establishments, like the supermarkets...

Important centres of commerce in the region are Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia and Gelida. Many people are employed in this sector and the celebration of fairs and street markets is the norm, the most important being the weekly market and the three annual fairs that are celebrated in the capital.

The financial establishments have a majority presence in the capital of the region, where more than half of the banks are concentrated and almost all of the insurance companies.

It is necessary to point out the existence of a native financial organization, the Caixa del Penedès, with its head office in Vilafranca and branches in the majority of towns and villages in the region. The Caixa del Penedès extends its operational range beyond the Penedès.