International commercial due diligence in Italy

If you are going to invest in a company with international expansion plans, you want to make sure that their product or service has good chances of being successful in the countries where you have ambitions.

This of course is also important for Italy. Only with the right knowledge about demand, competition and regulations it is wise to invest in market entry.
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Business opportunities in Italy

Italy, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and industrial strength, is a key market in Europe. Businesses considering entry into Italy need to understand its unique market dynamics, language requirements, and consumer behaviors.

Key Market Numbers

Italy is the third-largest economy in the Eurozone and a global leader in industries like fashion, luxury goods, and manufacturing. Below are some important statistics about the market:

  • Population: Approximately 59 million (2023), with a median age of around 47 years.
  • GDP per capita: Around $40,000 USD (2023), reflecting moderate purchasing power compared to Northern European markets.
  • Urbanization: About 71% of the population lives in urban areas, with Rome, Milan, and Naples as key economic hubs.
  • Economic Structure: Services dominate the economy, contributing about 74% of GDP, followed by industry (23%) and agriculture (3%). Italy excels in manufacturing, particularly machinery, fashion, and food products.
  • Ageing Population: Yes, Italy has one of the oldest populations in Europe, with 23% of its people aged 65 and older (2023). This influences demand for healthcare, senior services, and lifestyle products targeting older demographics.

Language and Documentation

Language is a key consideration when entering the Italian market. Italian is deeply tied to the country’s culture and identity.

  • Official Language: Italian is the primary language for business, legal, and consumer communication.
  • Language Considerations: While English proficiency is improving, especially among younger generations and in business circles, Italian is essential for connecting with local consumers and businesses. Marketing materials, packaging, and customer service in Italian are highly recommended.
  • Packaging and Documentation: Italian law mandates the use of Italian for packaging and labels in regulated industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. English-only documentation may not meet regulatory requirements or consumer expectations.

Consumer and B2B Buying Behavior

Italian consumers and businesses have distinct behaviors shaped by the country’s culture and regional diversity.

  • Consumer Behavior: Italians prioritize quality, design, and brand reputation. They also value tradition and are often loyal to local brands. Sustainability is increasingly important, especially among younger consumers. Approximately 80% of internet users in Italy shop online, with fashion, electronics, and travel being top categories (2023).
  • B2B Buying Behavior: Business transactions often emphasize relationships and trust. Networking and personal connections play a significant role in decision-making, especially in smaller, family-run enterprises. Transparency and long-term commitments are highly valued.
  • Online Presence: E-commerce is growing rapidly in Italy, with online retail reaching approximately 25% of total retail sales in 2023. A strong online strategy is essential, especially for consumer-facing businesses.

Market Challenges and Opportunities

Italy presents unique challenges and opportunities for international businesses.

  • Products/Services that May Struggle: Products that lack a focus on quality or design may struggle in Italy, where aesthetics and craftsmanship are highly valued. Services that require fast regulatory approval might face delays due to complex bureaucracy. Low-cost, mass-market goods may face stiff competition from established local producers.
  • Test Market Potential: Italy’s diverse regions offer a good test market for products in fashion, food, and luxury sectors. However, businesses must adapt to regional differences, as consumer preferences can vary significantly between the North, Center, and South of Italy.

Use our network for your due diligence

With local people in over 30 countries around the world, we can quickly do a regulatory, market and competition assessment in multiple markets at the same time. Connect with Alfred Griffioen to see what we can do and receive a quotation.

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    Research topics for new markets

    Where it comes to assessing the viability of a product or service in a new market, we always look at the following aspects:

    1. Regulatory compliance

    Can the product be imported and sold in the country, what are import duties and are there any restrictions on service delivery? What are the investments to comply to all regulations? 

    2. Market needs

    Is there a genuine demand for this product or service in the market and which aspects are decisive for the customers? What are common channels for marketing and sales?

    3. Competition

    How fierce is the competition and is there a clear market leader? Is there room for a new entrant and what happened to other companies trying to penetrate the market?

    4. Investments

    What steps are needed to enter the market and what are the related costs. How quickly can you expect revenue and what is a reasonable pay-back time?

    We make these assessment with local people in over 30 countries around the world, who report in a similar way. This way you get a good comparison and you can total up the investments needed for global growth.

    Comparing performance in existing markets

    If the company the we are assessing already has sales in different countries, we can determine distributor performance or sales staff performance. 

    We do this by correcting the actual turnover with data about:

    • the buying power in the market;
    • the geographical reach of the distributor or sales team;
    • the competition intensity;
    • the number of years active in the market.

    Combining the data of the various countries over time leads to a growth curve where overperformers and underperformers can be easily identified.

    We can then do selective interviews what causes any underperformance, and you can take corrective measures.

    A curve like this also helps to estimate the potential in a new market. 

    Turnover growth curve
    Share of wallet data comparison

    Before you focus only on Italy

    Please note that there are many countries in the world and the biggest ones or the ones nearby are not automatically the best choice. It all depends of the market growth, the competition and the barriers for entry. 

    Therefore I would advise you to make a short-list of at least three, but preferably five potential new markets and compare them against the same criteria.

    Frequently asked questions

    As in any country, also in Italy it is important to build your judgement on knowledge of the local situation. Given the population size, buying power, competition and local preferences, what is the real potential of the market?
    First look what elements make the market in Italy special. Then you can prioritize your time and look at regulations, competition, market growth and investments needed to grow your market share.