
Less bookstores and toy stores and more cell phone stores and pharmacies. A study by 'Confcommercio' analyzes what is being described as the "death of stores" in Italy. Referring to this study, in the last 10 years, book, toy, furniture and clothing stores have decreased by more than 1/3. The number of minimarkets and food vendors has also decreased by 10%.
But the commercial landscape is changing trend. In the last 10 years, it turns out that there is a rapid growth of technology stores and especially pharmacies. The latter result in the largest increase in the last 10 years.
But while the nature of stores is changing, the overall landscape is also a worrying element.
In the period 2012-2022, it turns out that around 104,000 shops were closed, while 10,000 more restaurants, hotels and bars were added.
These data published by 'Confcommercio' are considered worrying as the closing of neighborhood businesses is considered a violation of social stability as it includes the loss of jobs but also the reduction of points that unite communities.
For this purpose, mayors and economic operators are also preparing a concrete intervention plan, with the aim of restoring the proper role of small trade in the development of communities.