On October 5, 2016 Cocuzza & Associati held a cocktail reception at the famous Bocconi Building in the city centre of Milan to present its 2016 edition of Retail Trends. In its 2016 edition Retail Trends continues the research on the retail sector started by Cocuzza & Associati Law Firm four years ago. This edition has been a success having registered a great participation of key players of the retail real estate industry: more than 100 people participated to this event.  

As usual, the cocktail reception was preceded by a panel discussion moderated by the partner of the firm Giulia Comparini.

For the first time, Retail Trends is registering a new sentiment among all most important operators interviewed: the crisis which hit the sector in the recent years appears to be behind, and although some grey areas still exist, operators in all areas (high street, shopping centers, outlets, and retail parks) have confirmed that the market appears to have overcome the long period of downturn.

Technology has substantially entered into the retail sector, and, although the effects of this process are not all clear, we can at least dispel the fear that e-commerce would replace retail stores. On the contrary, it appears that technology will create new sales models which are destined to an acceleration in the next few years.

Forecasting the 2017 trends of retail is not easy especially because of the political developments of the negative result of the recent referendum on constitutional matters. In a moment of political uncertainty, we can only wish that financial markets, and economic operators do not stop investments, trusting in the ability of our country to overcome the crisis, and in the appeal of our touristic attractions.