(Finance) – What are the potentials of the Distribution Modern in the development of the territories? This is the theme at the centre of the meeting organised with the Lazio Region by Federdistribuzionean association that for over sixty years has brought together and represented the companies of Modern Distribution, food and non-food, operating in Italy. A comparison focused on the fundamental role that modern retail plays in the development of territories, with a particular focus on the issue of urban regeneration, and on the positive effects for local communities on a social, economic and environmental level.
The event was opened by institutional greetings from Francis RockPresident of the Lazio Region, followed by the speech of Carlo Alberto ButtarelliPresident of Federdistribuzione, who underlined the economic and social role that Modern Distribution plays on a daily basis in terms of supporting investments, employment and through the commitment, which has become even more evident in recent years, to defending the purchasing power of families. A sector grappling with challenges that are characterizing its evolution: the acceleration of digitalization, the modernization of stores and services oriented towards a “omnichannel” and proximity, investments to achieve the goal “net zero”, the transition towards circular systems and waste reduction and, finally, the investments needed for training and development of professional skills.
During the works, the following intervened: Roberta Little AngelsVice President and Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Crafts, Industry and Internationalisation, who highlighted the programmatic and intervention lines of the Region on issues relating to the trade sector, and Marco PagansDirector of Regulations and Institutional Relations of Federdistribuzione, who focused on the promotional and guiding role that the Regions can play to facilitate the transition and therefore support businesses in change, also with the provision of new regulatory tools and interventions capable of helping businesses in the trade sector to face the environmental, social and technological evolution of the coming years.
The professor. Luca PilgrimsPresident of TradeLab, also highlighted how, in the socio-demographic dynamics underway in our country, Modern Distribution plays a fundamental role in the regeneration of urban spaces, enhancing disused city areas. The sector’s investments in this area generate positive and measurable impacts on the territories. In this scenario, the central role of the Trade Districts also emerges, where Modern Distribution companies and traditional commerce can create synergies with benefits for both and for local communities.
“Modern retail companies have a primary role within the regional socio-economic system. They activate important development potential in the territory, generating employment and growth opportunities for local production chains. However, it is necessary to accompany the system of retail companies, which need to support investments to face the important challenges they are facing, in a context characterized by changes in lifestyles and consumption models, by technological acceleration and by the evolution of the economic and regulatory context. From this perspective, the regional administration has a fundamental role that can create the conditions for development and investment by retail companies, with concrete repercussions on the territory for local communities. I thank the Lazio Region for today’s meeting, which highlights the attention to the dynamics of our sector and the continuous availability for dialogue on these issues”, he declared Carlo Alberto ButtarelliPresident of Federdistribuzione.
“The Lazio Region is alongside businesses and the spread of its networks. All this will be possible thanks to precise and timely planning, which also takes into account the needs and requests of businesses to create job opportunities for the development of the Region and its economies. The regional administration, precisely for this reason, aims for development with an eye towards the future, and therefore modern, trying to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. Thanks to this process, Lazio will not only strengthen its economic position, but will be able to become a model for sustainable growth and innovation, demonstrating that it is possible to have progress while taking into account respect for the environment”. This was stated by the Vice President and Councilor for Economic Development, Trade, Crafts, Industry and Internationalization of the Lazio Region, Roberta Little Angels.
(Photo: Franki Chamaki on Unsplash)