Laura Alese - Federturismo Confindustria

💰 In 2024, shopping in Italy saw a positive trend with 24% of total tourist spending. International tourists contributed 51%, with clothing purchases leading at 70%. Lombardy, particularly Milan, accounted for nearly 30% of shopping expenditure. American tourists spent the most outside of Arab and Asian visitors, with their spending up 10% from 2023. Central Italy's regions Tuscany and Lazio contributed 35%. Overall, shopping growth was 18%, with domestic spending up 22-24% and international up 13%. U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the UK were the main shoppers, with U.S. tourists making up 20% of international shopping and the highest average spending over 120 euros. Turkish shoppers' spending surged by 70%, while spending from the UAE grew by 22%. Mastercard's analysis highlighted seasonal and merchandise trends, with Americans favoring late spring to early summer and September-October for their shopping trips in Italy.

🏨 During the 2025 Salone del Mobile in Milan, Tax Free shopping saw a 77% increase over the prior three weeks and a 93% surge from the year's weekly average. Despite a general spending drop of 15% and a 9% decrease in average receipt from 2024, this period generated unparalleled expenditure volumes. Chinese shoppers, top spenders at 15%, showed a 49% decrease in spending, while spending by Arab clients rose by 27%, making them the second-highest spenders at 14%, coinciding with Ramadan's end. Americans were third at 12%. Via Montenapoleone accounted for one-third of total Tax Free spending, maintaining stable volumes and witnessing a 9% average receipt increase from the previous year. Global Blue added three kiosks at Malpensa Airport to manage increased tourist flows.