Tendenze del mercato

📊 In the third quarter of 2024, Italian companies showed improved payment habits, with 44.3% paying on time, an increase from 43.3% in Q2 and 43.4% in Q1. Late payments over 90 days decreased to 4% from 5.7% in Q2. Micro-enterprises were most punctual at 45.4%, with significant delays most prevalent in the Catering sector at 7%. The North East region led in punctuality at 52.7%, while Sicily had the highest severe delays at 8.9%.

🍸 Emerging trends in mixology spotted during the World's 50 Best Bars event in Madrid and the World Cocktail Championship in Madeira include low-alcohol drinks, immersive experiences, and food pairings. Mauro Suman, Aibes Italian champion, represented Italy in the IBA World Championship. Drink Kong in Rome, ranked 33rd in the 50 Best Bars, has featured low-alcohol drinks since 2020. Low ABV cocktails are gaining popularity, accounting for at least 30% of revenue in high-volume venues like The Chinese Box in Milan. Frederick Ma from Macao, the new IBA world champion (Classic category), notes an increasing demand for low-alcohol cocktails despite similar pricing to high-alcohol variants. Attention to customer experience and pairings between food and drinks are highlighted as key to hospitality.

🍽 Chef Philip Chronopoulos of Palais Royal Venezia at Nolinski Venezia, part of the French Evok Collection group, earned a Michelin star just six months after opening in June 2023. Chronopoulos, originally from Athens, trained in Paris with renowned chefs Alain Passard and Joël Robuchon. His cuisine, an homage to his Greek roots, has led the Parisian Palais Royal to achieve two Michelin stars. Co-founder and CEO of Evok Collection Emmanuel Sauvage applauds the shared values of loyalty and trust with Chronopoulos since their first hotel and restaurant in 2015.

📈 Circana reports European consumers spent €888 billion on food and beverages last year; 37% was for "immediate consumption" at restaurants and supermarkets. From 2021 to June 2024, commercial catering's market share dropped from 79% to 77%, while non-commercial channels like retail grew from 21% to 23%. France leads retail consumer spending at 6.8%, with the UK at 6.6%. Meals ready to eat (RTE) for lunch grew nearly 9% last year, reflecting consumer demand for convenient options. Takeaway, drive-thru, and delivery now represent 43% of total foodservice sector spending.

🎢 Confindustria Nautica attended the Singapore leg of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour, presenting the XII edition of "Esportare la Dolce Vita" report by Centro Studi, supported by Unicredit and in collaboration with Sace. BBF (Bello e Ben Fatto) goods span leisure nautical, food, jewelry, fashion, and furniture sectors, embodying Italian excellence. BBF products amount to 711 categories, worth €161.3 billion, 26.2% of Italian exports, with growth potential valued at €174.5 billion. Italian exports to ASEAN, including Singapore, with a potential €1 billion BBF growth, reached nearly €3 billion in 2023, a 17% increase. The Italian leisure boating industry hit a record €4 billion in exports in 2023, up 15.9% from 2022, with a global leadership in superyacht production, holding 51% of orders.

📦 Consorzio Grana Padano renews partnership with Golosaria, participating in the 19th edition from November 2-4, 2024, at Fiera Milano Rho. The event features master classes pairing cheese with Italian excellences and an exhibit on its origins from 1135. The consortium includes 143 companies, with 122 processors, 137 dairies, 142 agers, and 197 packagers. In 2023, 5,456,500 cheese wheels (+4.69%) were produced, totaling 211,830.742 tons (+4.84%), from 2.858 million tons of milk from 3,726 farms, engaging 50,000 people. January-August 2024 saw 3,905,731 wheels (+2.66% vs 2023). Exports in 2023 totaled 2,481,891 wheels (+6.55% vs 2022), 94,846.4362 tons, and 48.2% of marked production. Gross saleable cheese production in 2023 was €3.7 billion, with €1.75 billion in Italy and €1.95 billion abroad, confirming Grana Padano as the world's most consumed DOP cheese.

🌿 Italian agritourism has nearly doubled since 2014, reaching around 25,840 units in 2023, up from 17,000 a decade ago. In 2023, these green structures recorded 15.4 million stays, generating over €1.5 billion in revenue. Foreign tourists accounted for 58% of visitors, with an average stay of 4 days. Tuscany, Trentino Alto Adige, Lombardy, Veneto, Lazio, and Umbria lead in agritourism facilities, offering over 297,000 beds and nearly 536,000 dining spots. Over 8,800 agritourism businesses are led by women, representing 34%, while operators under 40 years old exceed one-third. Agritourism is present in 64% of Italian municipalities.

🍷 In 2023, premium spirits exceeded the broader alcohol category with a 9% value increase, holding 4.8% market share. Retail sales of bottles over $5,000 soared by 39%, while the $350-$499.99 range grew by 42%. The U.S. saw modest single-digit growth, the UK and France experienced single-digit declines, and China faced a 12% drop. Duty free sales surged by 48%, with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% until 2028, while the U.S. is expected to grow at a 4% CAGR.

🍝 Global pasta consumption nears 14 million tons, with Italians being the top consumers at 23 kg per capita annually. In 2023, 56% of Italian pasta production, totaling 2.2 million tons, was exported to nearly 200 countries. World Pasta Day, organized by Unione Italiana Food and International Pasta Organisation, is celebrated on October 25. Research shows over 40 million tourists visit Italy annually, with pasta being a significant attraction. The top 3 pasta dishes among tourists are Spaghetti alla Carbonara (7.8), Lasagne alla Bolognese (7), and Pasta al pomodoro (6.9). Italy leads global pasta production with over 3.9 million tons in 2023, generating €8.1 billion, a 5.4% increase from 2022, and exports over 2.2 million tons worth €3.8 billion. Deliveroo saw an 18% increase in pasta dish orders and a 10% increase in packaged pasta orders in Q3 of 2024.

🏦 Deloitte's analysis for 2023 shows European hotel investments reached €16 billion out of €47 billion globally, with Italy contributing €1.6 billion. Nearly 45% of hotel investments are in the luxury sector. Italy leads the European hotel market with a 21% share of properties. Since 2017, an annual average of 30 luxury hotels opened, totaling 710 five-star hotels with 47,300 rooms. Post-pandemic trends include interest in mountain and seaside locations, aiming to extend tourism seasons. Italy ranks fifth in Europe for serviced apartments with annual revenues over €2.4 billion, holding a 10% market share in this hospitality segment.