Empty shops in Lombardy: impact on the local economy

Recent data from Confcommercio Lombardia reveals that the 10% of vacant shops in the region is a cause for concern for the local economy. Although this figure places Lombardy at the bottom of Italy in terms of the percentage of empty premises, with nearly 9,447 abandoned stores, the absolute number is among the highest in the country. The analysis, conducted in anticipation of the “inCittà” initiative focused on urban economics, highlights a national decline of over 140,000 commercial activities and predicts a potential loss of an additional 114,000 shops by 2035 if appropriate policies are not implemented. The vice president of Confcommercio Lombardia, Carlo Massoletti, emphasized that this situation could undermine social interactions and services in Lombard cities, particularly in smaller municipalities and areas with low commercial density. To tackle this crisis, it is essential to encourage public-private partnerships through initiatives such as Trade Districts and to establish local agreements aimed at revitalizing vacant spaces, promoting controlled rental rates and coordinated incentives between public and private entities. Italian Version