Retail 5.0 Community



Our Mission

Involving the various players of the Specialized Retail sector, the key representatives of the benchmark countries, and the European institutions in a process of constructive, on-going discussion, with the goal of offering action proposals to Italy's Government and the nation’s economy.

Why Retail 5.0

Specialized Retail, the direct front-end of the consumer, is in a privileged position to promote the 5.0 transition of society, which means putting people at the centre so that they can realize their own lifestyle and live safely and healthily, using technology to solve the challenges that modern society is facing, and envisioning innovation as the key to a new business and development model of companies - including in foreign markets.

5th edition

The 2025 edition was launched in February and will include a number of meetings and focus groups addressed to the Community's members, who will have the opportunity to meet institutional representatives and other companies to develop contents, mapping the value chain, and increase their network with the common goal of boosting specialised retail in Italy.

Macro topics

• human resources: Specialized Retail is Italy's top employer (1.6 million employed) and employs many women (+10% vs. Italy average) and youth (+27%) 
• artificial intelligence: AI offers greater effectiveness of marketing campaigns (+30% return on sales) and targeted retention strategies (+20% retention level)
• circular economy: challenges in terms of online competition, logistical organization, and supply innovation
• retail media: Retailers and media are increasingly being integrated, but only 8% of Italian Retailers have activated Retail Media programs in the market, values well below those of France (65%) and Germany (51%)

5th edition's meetings

• Kick-off meeting: Milan, February 21, 2025
• Working Table: Naples (CIS - Interporto Campano), March 6, 2025
• Meeting with Hon. Massimo Bitonci (Undersecretary of the Ministry of Made in Italy Enterprises): Padua, March 14, 2025 - in synergy with TEHA Club
• Plenary meeting: Milan, April 11, 2025
• Thematic workshop on Retail Media opportunities: Milan, May 2025
• Working Table: Rome, May 2025
• 1st Focus Group: Milan, June 25, 2025
• 2nd Focus Group: September 2025
• Plenary Meeting: Milan, October 10, 2025
• Final Forum: Milan, November 7, 2025



Specialized Retail in Italy

The economic and social impact of the Specialized Retail sector on the country is much greater than what is perceived by the public and institutions, and it represents a vital asset for Italy's competitiveness: about 282.2 billion euros, nearly 15% of the country's GDP, could not be generated without the extended supply chain of Specialized Retail.

Despite these figures, the Specialized Retail is not recognized as an economic sector, nor as a policymaking partner. Moreover, the social-economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 emergency has severely impacted the non-food retail sector, alongwith unprecedented changes currently underway.

Within a rapidly changing global society, Specialized Retail, as a direct point of contact with the consumer, plays a crucial role in interpreting the changes taking place and contributing to the country's growth and competitiveness, also by virtue of its economic weight.

Today, the Italian sector is at the center of major challenges: global crises, structural changes and digitaline transformations - which are redefining the context where it operates.