Italy’s small stores reopen after virus lockdown

Italy’s legion of booksellers, stationers and artisan businesses have started to re-open their doors after a bruising period of lockdown in the country.

There is a sense of both trepidation, and hope, that business can get back to normal.

Nationwide restrictions on public life and businesses have been tough on many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Italy, many of which are family-owned and passed down the generations, often weathering turbulent periods in the economy.

After Covid-19, business owners know it could take a long time for their businesses, and shopping habits, to get back to normal.

Aside from their importance as family enterprises, Italy’s SMEs are seen by many as the economic backbone of the country. Italian SMEs generate 66.9% of the overall value added in the Italian “non-financial business economy,” exceeding the EU average of 56.4%, according to EU data from last year.

The share of employment generated by SMEs is even larger, at 78.1%, compared to the EU average of 66.6%. Micro firms (which employ up to nine people) are particularly important, providing 44.9% of employment, compared to the EU average of 29.7%.

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/24/coronavirus-italy-small-stores-reopen-after-lockdown.html

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