Italy's cities face 'retail desertification' - report

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 21 - Italy's cities are undergoing a process of "retail desertification" according to a report released on Friday.
    The study by retail association Confcommercio with the Guglielmo Tagliacarne research centre said that 118,000 shops "disappeared" in 122 Italian towns and cities between 2012 and 2024, a drop of 21. 4%, while the number of street stalls fell by 23,000, or 24.4%.
    "Retail desertification threatens the liveability, safety and social cohesion of our cities," said Confcommercio President Carlo Sangalli.
    "Without neighborhood commerce, there is no community". (ANSA).