Markets Face Deterioration and Commercial Competition
Public markets represent one of the main sources of supplies for families in the capital, in addition to being a source of employment for tens of thousands of merchants. However, many properties face problems that have accumulated over the years, mainly related to electrical installations, water systems, gas systems, and general maintenance.
These difficulties are compounded by increasing competition. Commercial chains, supermarkets, convenience stores, and digital platforms have changed consumption habits, forcing vendors to compete not only on price but also for customers’ attention.
The problem becomes more evident in markets with deteriorated infrastructure or lower customer traffic. For merchants, declining sales represent a direct threat to their income and to the survival of family businesses that, in some cases, have been passed down from one generation to the next.
Resources for Rehabilitation Also Depend on the Boroughs
Given this situation, the Mexico City government continues to operate the Program for the Promotion and Improvement of Public Markets, coordinated by the Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDECO), whose objective is to allocate resources for renovations, maintenance, and risk mitigation.
The program provides for the capital government to cover around 60 percent of project costs, with a budget of approximately 240 to 249 million pesos for the specified period. The remaining 40 percent corresponds to the 16 boroughs, which must contribute resources to carry out projects in the markets under their jurisdiction.
This distribution creates one of the main points of concern among merchants, since access to construction and rehabilitation projects also depends on each borough properly managing the projects and fulfilling its share of the financial contribution.
Security, Legal Certainty, and New Measures for Markets to Survive
The problem is not limited to the physical condition of the markets. Security is also among the merchants’ demands, particularly in areas with a high concentration of people and merchandise.
Among the measures being considered is the installation of surveillance cameras linked to the C5 monitoring systems, as well as increased police patrols around the markets.
Another pending issue is the legal certainty of vendors. To address this situation, authorities are considering facilitating the updating and issuance of Registration Certificates, accompanied by legal assistance for merchants seeking to regularize their status.
The challenge, however, is ensuring that these actions translate into visible and consistent improvements. For merchants, the recovery of the markets does not depend solely on painting facades or carrying out isolated construction projects, but on guaranteeing safe facilities, better sales conditions, certainty regarding their commercial spaces, and strategies that can bring consumers back.
Source: posta
