Innovazione

💰 Milan, with 43% of Italy's Tax-Free Shopping spend, sees a +10% year-over-year increase. The U.S. leads extra-EU nationalities with 17.8% of Design Week tourism demand. The most sought-after dates are April 8 and 11, 2025. Arab tourists top spending volumes at 16%, surpassing the Chinese at 12%. Chinese visitors spend the most per receipt (€1,982), followed by U.S. tourists (€1,756). Milan's central station area is the most popular, and the Fashion & Clothing sector accounts for 80% of Tax-Free Shopping.

💡 Rancilio Group introduces iSteam Pro, an automatic steam wand compatible with Rancilio Classe 20 and Rancilio Specialty Invicta coffee machines. It allows operators to adjust milk frothing temperature and texture, store up to 10 custom recipes, and activate it with a touch. The iSteam Pro, equipped with a pre-purge function for convenience and maintenance, streamlines workflow, ensuring speed and consistency in milk-based beverage preparation. Available as an optional accessory, it can be installed on either or both sides of the compatible machines.

🍷 At Vinitaly in Veronafiere (April 6-9), 111 businesses from the Irpinia Sannio area, led by the Chamber of Commerce, will demonstrate Italy's highest rate of female-led wine enterprises, with nearly 40% being women-owned. Avellino leads with 46% of its 848 wineries female-run, while Benevento follows with 42%, focusing on Sannio's DOPs like Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno. The district produces 35 million bottles annually, worth €120 million, with exports up 7% at €29 million in 2024, largely to the U.S., accounting for 30% of shipments. The area boasts several DOP and IGP designations, including Aglianico del Taburno DOCG and Falanghina del Sannio DOC.

🌿 Verys introduces new 100% plant-based "Fettine" slices in Mozzarella and Scamorza variants in 2025, targeting vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. These allergen-free slices, without milk, lactose, or animal derivatives, offer a shelf-life of 75 days, versatility in use, and are made from Italian organic rice through a patented process. Verys' commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in their production, using high-quality ingredients and eco-friendly practices. More information can be found at www.verys.it.

🛒 Retail Hub compares Italian and French organized retail markets, highlighting differences in market structure, consumer habits, technology adoption, and customer experience management. In France, over 50% of the market is controlled by cooperatives with a participative approach, while Italy maintains a more vertical management. French supermarkets offer dining facilities and specialized segments, with online grocery accounting for 10% of the market, mainly through click & collect. Italy, however, leads in autonomous stores with the first fully automated, cashier-less store. Italian online grocery stands at 3%, with a focus on home delivery. Retail Hub facilitates learning from France's retail advancements to enhance Italy's unique potential through innovation.

🍝 Unilever Food Solutions launched Maizena Express, a gluten-free instant thickener for professional catering. The product thickens creams and sauces in one minute, retains original flavors due to its neutral taste, and is ready to use, optimizing kitchen time and resources. Available in 1 kg packages, sold in boxes of 6. The range includes various thickeners, such as Maizena Amido di Riso, Maizena Amido di Mais, Knorr Roux Bianco e Bruno, Maizena Snowflake, and a versatile hot and cold binder—all gluten-free and some lactose-free, with packaging from 600 g to 20 kg. Unilever Food Solutions operates in over 70 countries, supported by over 250 professional chefs, with products designed for professional kitchens.

🍷 Casa Vinicola Fazio from DOC Erice introduces the "Fabula Amoris" organic wine collection at Vinitaly 2025, Pavilion 2 Sicilia - Stand G71, designed by Alessandro Enriquez. The organic project began with the 2024 harvest, incorporating meticulous grape selection and manual production to preserve natural flavors. The collection includes Silvaris (Nero d’Avola), Greber (Zibibbo-dominated blend), and Fulgora (Grillo-based sparkling extra dry). The winery utilizes sustainable practices like manual harvesting and solar power. A related exhibit will be featured at Eataly Verona’s Winehouse.

🍷 Areni Global, a wine industry think tank, released a white paper titled "Rethinking Education: Shaping the Future of the Wine Trade," after an 18-month study focusing on the education sector excluding viticulture and wine production. The research, which included interviews with academics, MBA program heads, certification bodies, and recruiters, revealed challenges in finding professionals with the right skillset for the evolving wine industry. Despite a 15% global increase in candidates for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma by September 2024, the industry faces a shortage of talent with broad business skills like financial literacy, project management, strategic decision-making, and communication. The study suggests educational programs should balance wine knowledge with cross-functional business skills to sustain the industry's profitability against turbulent economic and geopolitical backdrops.

🍻 Tassoni unveiled the "Collezione 2025" on March 31 at The Sanctuary Milan, featuring Cedrata Zero, a sugar-free, calorie-free luxury soft drink, and biologically-sourced Pompelmo Soda and Limonata. CEO Matteo Lunelli emphasized the mix of tradition and health-conscious innovation. The collection caters to changing luxury definitions and responsible consumption trends, with new mixology offerings and the first Italian Mocktail Competition spanning 8 cities and over 100 bartenders.

🔓 Domia Mini by AGB offers a reliable, flexible, and easy-to-install access management system with a modern design, ideal for retrofitting existing doors or new installations. It requires no wiring due to battery operation and installs with just two screws without replacing existing locks or cylinders, making it perfect for those wanting to update their access system without structural changes. Guests can access rooms with physical (cards, tags, bracelets) or digital (links or apps) credentials, managed locally or remotely. The system integrates with AGB components, such as locks and energy saver pockets, and uses cloud-based Accexi software for a secure, personalized access experience. Domia Mini comes in various finishes and handles, with the option of a mechanical emergency cylinder, ensuring access at all times while balancing security and convenience.