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Italy’s Winter Sales Open With Pre-Sales Diluting the Rush

Trade groups push strict price transparency to curb confusing discounts.

Overview

  • The season starts on 2 January in Valle d’Aosta and from 3–4 January in most regions, with Liguria set for 5 January and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano from 8 January.
  • Estimated turnover ranges from €4.9 billion per Confcommercio to as much as €6 billion according to Confesercenti.
  • Roughly 2 million shoppers bought in pre-sales after Christmas, weakening the traditional concentration of the event.
  • Interest is high at 92% in the Ipsos survey for Confesercenti, yet 53% plan to buy only if the offer is compelling, with physical stores primary and online a growing complement.
  • Rules require discounts to be calculated from the lowest price in the prior 30 days with clear display of original price, reduction and final price, and returns differ for in-store purchases versus the 14-day right online.