Retail Geography in Italy: Historical Evolution and Future Challenges

Abstract

This chapter deals with the evolution of retail geography in Italy through a double perspective of analysis. On the one hand, the work deals with the transformation of retailscapes in the country, ranging from the first department stores to the evolution of retail in central and suburban areas. On the other hand, the chapter scrutinises the emergence of retail geography in Italy as a sub-discipline, strictly linked to the urban and economic approach, in order to deeply evaluate the geographical contribution in interpreting as well as analysing the transformation of retail and consumption places, which, in recent decades, have been completely reshaping forms and functions of Italian urban and suburban spaces.