This is the latest novelty of the decree to guarantee the linguistic rights of consumers. The Basque Government will support department stores to make more use of Euskera.

The decree, which dates from 2008, has not had a great impact over time. The February study shows that the degree of compliance with the decree is very low: 22%. There are major differences between sectors. Above this average are financial institutions, with a 50% compliance rate, large commercial chains (35.3%) and transport (25.5%). Below average are mail and communication (16.7 per cent), energy (7.1 per cent), trade in general (6.3 per cent), shopping malls (3 per cent) and hypermarkets and supermarkets (1 per cent) and housing (2.4 per cent). Another fact: half of the businesses didn't know it was a decree.

Before verifying the ineffectiveness of the decree, several agents of the world of Basque culture criticized the Basque Government, which did not provide for sanctions or obligations in case of non-compliance with the decree.

The Basque Government itself, in view of the results of its use, acknowledged the existence of considerable room for improvement. Thus, it will develop three main lines in 2015 and 2016. On the one hand, it will sign cooperation agreements with driving companies to ensure the linguistic rights of consumers. Secondly, the subsidies will be allocated EUR 500,000 to bring into Basque the changing linguistic landscape of the department stores and to train the workers. Thirdly, it will offer a free translation service to translate short texts of oral and written information to Basque companies in the online business sector, customers and language exchange.