What:  The former CEO of Selfridges and current vice-chairman of La Rinascente gives his views on how department stores remain relevant

Why it is important: All eyes will be on adaptation and answers to specific and local needs: all stores will be different, answering to different communities.

Vittorio Radice emphasizes the local specificity of any department store: La Rinascente Milan is different from La Rinascente Firenze, for instance, and this translates not only in different location and building, but also a different offer (customers are not expecting the same products and services in all cities), especially when it comes to local brands, a different perspective brought by carefully trained sales associates, and attention to details (windows).

Focus is clearly on local customers: according to Radice, “you want the city’s inhabitants to have an association with your retail address”.

Interview Vittorio Radice

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• The rebirth of local retail