The situation of the struggling retail sector, along with food service and hospitality in Brescia, continues to raise concerns. According to data updated to the third quarter of 2025 from Movimprese – Infocamere, the commercial sector has experienced a loss of 1,937 units (-7.6%) compared to 2019, with a total of 23,300 active businesses. This negative trend is attributed to various factors, including changing consumer habits and rising operational costs. Barbara Quaresmini, president of Confesercenti Lombardia Orientale, emphasized the urgent need for a revitalization plan that promotes innovation and enhances local shops. Similarly, the food service and hospitality sectors are showing signs of fatigue, even though tourism remains relatively vibrant with over 11 million visitors in the province. In the third quarter of 2025, there are only 8,778 active businesses among restaurants and accommodations, down from 9,178 in 2019. On a national level, the crisis has led to the closure of over 23,500 commercial activities in small towns over the past decade, while digital commerce continues to grow exponentially, highlighting a profound transformation in the local economic landscape. Italian Version
Brescia: crisis in commerce and difficulties for catering and hospitality
