Florence loses nearly 1,000 shops in 13 years, study finds

Florence has lost more than one in five retail shops over the past 13 years, according to a new report by Confcommercio, highlighting a long-term shift in the city’s economic structure.

Between 2012 and 2025, 983 retail businesses closed in the Tuscan capital, a drop of 21.8%. The decrease is slightly less severe than the national average of 25.6%, placing Florence 98th out of 122 Italian cities analysed.

Historic centre more affected

The decline has been particularly visible in Florence’s historic centre, where the number of retail shops fell from 1,753 in 2012 to 1,460 in 2025, a loss of 293 businesses.

In the rest of the city, the number dropped from 3,256 to 2,566, with 690 outlets disappearing over the same period.

Sectors most affected include clothing and footwear, bookshops and toy stores, newsstands, and furniture and hardware shops. The report links the trend to changes in consumer habits and a decrease in the resident population.

Growth in tourism-related activities

While traditional retail has declined, businesses linked to tourism have grown significantly.

In the historic centre, accommodation and food service activities increased from 1,200 in 2012 to 1,520 in 2025. Restaurants rose from 400 to 573, while non-hotel accommodation such as short-term rentals expanded from 177 to 409.

A similar trend is visible in the rest of the city, where hospitality businesses increased from 1,517 to 1,825.

The data reflects a broader shift towards a tourism-oriented economy, particularly in central areas.

A regional trend with local differences

The decline in retail activity affects the whole of Tuscany, though with varying intensity.

Prato recorded the smallest drop at -20%, while Massa saw the sharpest decrease at -31.6%. Siena performed similarly to Florence, with a -21.7% change.

Other cities, including Livorno, Pistoia, Arezzo, and Lucca, all reported declines above the national average, with reductions close to or exceeding 28%.

Calls for policy action

According to Confcommercio Toscana, the reduction of shops in historic centres is a trend that requires targeted policy responses.

The organisation points to the need to better connect urban planning and economic development, support neighbourhood businesses as part of city management, and promote the reuse of vacant commercial spaces through temporary initiatives and new forms of activity.

The findings add to ongoing debates about the balance between tourism and everyday urban life in Florence, particularly in areas where local services are increasingly being replaced by visitor-oriented businesses.

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