Retail sales were back in negative territory starting 2017, due to declining consumer confidence and slowing private expenditures.
The financial situation of Italian retailers has suffered a sharp deterioration: net gearing soared from 36% to 250% from 2011 to 2016.
Luxury and niche retailers focusing on sustainability enjoy a sound outlook. But the home & office and electronics segments employed discounting strategies putting profitability at risk.
retail-disrupted-pressure-and-potential-in-the-digital-age-italy-may2017.pdf