by InTrieste
In the hill town of Buttrio, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, a gathering of local officials, business leaders and community organizers turned its attention to a question facing small towns across Europe: what future remains for neighborhood shops in an era dominated by online retail?
At a conference held at Villa Di Toppo Florio and titled “Attività di vicinato indispensabili alla comunità” (“Neighborhood Businesses Indispensable to the Community”), regional authorities argued that brick-and-mortar stores still have a vital role to play — provided they adapt.
“Despite a changing world and the advance of online commerce, neighborhood shops can and must continue to play a key role in our towns and historic centers, if they focus on quality and local excellence,” said Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councillor for productive activities and tourism.
The event, organized by the local association La via del Tiglio, brought together policymakers and trade representatives to examine the challenges facing small retailers, from rising costs to shifting consumer habits. It also served as a platform for the regional government to outline its strategy for supporting the sector.
Bini pointed to recent reforms aimed at simplifying regulations, including a new regional code governing commerce and tourism. The overhaul, he said, eliminated hundreds of outdated provisions in an effort to make it easier for businesses to operate. Still, he acknowledged that local efforts may not be enough.
“There is also a need at the European level to reduce burdensome bureaucracy that risks undermining those who want to keep their shops open,” he said.
The conference opened with remarks from Filippo Meroi, the event’s promoter, and included participation from Riccardo Riccardi, the regional councillor for health and social policies. Riccardi also took part in awarding a €5,000 grant to organizers of the “24 ore di Buttrio,” a local endurance event.
Beyond regulatory reform, regional officials emphasized a broader shift in how small businesses are perceived — not merely as economic units, but as social anchors that contribute to employment and community life.
Central to that strategy are “commercial districts,” collaborative networks of businesses and municipalities designed to promote local commerce. According to Bini, such districts now involve about 75 percent of municipalities in the region.
Financial support has accompanied these initiatives. The regional government has allocated €12 million to projects tied to commercial districts, along with roughly €6 million in broader contributions to neighborhood businesses. A new funding call for 2026, open through April 15, is aimed at helping small दुकानदारs offset fixed costs such as rent and employee wages.
The discussion also featured a video message from the region’s governor, Massimiliano Fedriga, and was moderated by journalist Timothy Dissegna. Participants included Lorenzo Mazzolini, director of Confcommercio Udine, and Edi Sommariva, manager of the Friuli Orientale commercial district.
While the tone of the conference was pragmatic, the underlying message was clear: for small दुकानदारs to survive, public support and regulatory reform must go hand in hand with a renewed emphasis on quality, identity and local ties — elements that online platforms have struggled to replicate.
