Italy's small shops face extinction
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Published: 12 Jun, 2013 CET.
Updated: Wed 12 Jun 2013 18:24 CET
Twenty-one thousand shops have closed in Italy since the beginning of the year, according to figures released today by the retail association, Confesercenti.
If the rate of decline continues then 43,000 will be shut by the end of the year and there will be no small shops left by 2023, the association warned.
Any hike in the VAT rate would also push the sector to the brink, the association said in a press release.
“It would lead to a further decline in consumption and the retail trade will worsen; the terrible scenario of a country with no neighbourhood shops is likely to come true.”
An estimated 120,000 jobs will also be lost by the end of the year if the haemorrhage continues, the association added.
“This is an emergency and has a social, economic and employment impact… it demonstrates once again that Italy cannot afford a catastrophe in the retail sector.”
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If the rate of decline continues then 43,000 will be shut by the end of the year and there will be no small shops left by 2023, the association warned.
Any hike in the VAT rate would also push the sector to the brink, the association said in a press release.
“It would lead to a further decline in consumption and the retail trade will worsen; the terrible scenario of a country with no neighbourhood shops is likely to come true.”
An estimated 120,000 jobs will also be lost by the end of the year if the haemorrhage continues, the association added.
“This is an emergency and has a social, economic and employment impact… it demonstrates once again that Italy cannot afford a catastrophe in the retail sector.”
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