Neighborhood commerce is an engine of the local economy: it generates employment, supports microenterprises, and incentivizes the circular economy.
It also strengthens the social fabric and helps make neighborhoods more livable and dynamic.
However, these businesses face increasing challenges due to competition from e-commerce and large retail chains, which threaten their survival.
According to a study by Confesercenti, about 10 thousandretail businesses disappeared in the first three months of 2024compared to the previous period. At the same time, online shopping increased by +13 percent, generating a volume of more than 734 million shipments, the equivalent of 84 thousand package deliveries per hour (Confesercenti, 2024).
One of the goals we have set for ourselves is to make our contribution to try to reverse this trend by supporting businesses in a project that aims to rethink neighborhood commerce, designing innovative and sustainable solutions, through:
- Customized business plan
- Sustainable models capable of adapting to new market dynamics.
It is precisely in this context that the third edition of #UpskillPiemonte, a project of Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT and Upskill 4.0, in partnership with UniCredit and ASCOM Torino, aimed at businesses in the Unique District of Commerce of Turin, is taking place.
Through direct support to sixlocal businessesin innovation pathways, the project aims to generate a concrete and lasting impact for the entire community, fostering pathways to improve the quality of life of residents, increasing tourist attractiveness and supporting the innovation needed by businesses in the trade to cope with an evolving market.
Let's get to know companies better through company visits
One of the crucial moments of the project is the empathy phase, in which project managers and students from ITS Academy Tourism Piedmont and ITS Sustainable Mobility Aerospace-Mechatronics immerse themselves in the context of the project challenge and can visit company spaces from the inside, interacting with entrepreneurs and interviewing their clients.
Let's learn more about the six companies featured in the third edition of Upskill Piemonte:
Palmerio Jewelers: historic business since 1932 that recently reopened its historic premises in Paleocapa Square.
Trifule & Bulè: a family business specializing in the collection and supply of fresh truffles and mushrooms in Piedmont.
Cavour 11 DK: An artistic perfumery specializing in niche fragrances and sought-after accessories.
Confetteria Stratta: historic confectionery shop located in Turin's Piazza San Carlo, specializing in artisanal products such as chocolates, bonbon candies and fresh pastries.
Libreria Internazionale Luxemburg: one of the oldest bookstores in Italy and a historic institution in Turin, a meeting point for readers and intellectuals.
Latteria Bera: family-run dairy excellence with a fine selection of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh pasta, and typical Piedmontese and Italian desserts, known for its walk-in whipped cream.
The challenge that the students of the Turin ITSs will face under the guidance of our project managers will be precisely to foster the creation of new innovative products, processes or business models to provide better use of services by citizens, helping businesses adapt to new market needs.
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