No grocery stores: over 200 Lombardy municipalities lack food shops

No grocery stores: over 200 Lombardy municipalities lack food shops

Data presented at the assembly of Confcooperative Consumo e Utenza Lombardia show that more than 200 Lombardy municipalities do not have food retail outlets. In 47 of these municipalities local commerce has completely disappeared, leaving more than 21,500 residents without services.

Marco Bordoli was re-elected president of the regional body for another four-year term. The 2022–2025 report notes the sector represents 186 cooperative enterprises, 51,769 members, 759 employees and a turnover of about €569 million.

«There is a structural criticality — Bordoli stressed —. Region Lombardy has provided an initial response, but current instruments are not sufficient.» One proposal is to recognise these activities as Services of General Economic Interest (SIEG) to provide more stable support mechanisms.

• SIEG recognition: include proximity food retailers among services of general economic interest to access dedicated funding and measures.
• Incentives and local tenders: grants and tax breaks for new openings and retail innovation.
• Cooperative and community models: support for community cooperatives and local service companies.
• Logistics solutions: mobile markets, pick-up points and delivery services to connect producers and residents.
• Public-private partnerships: agreements between local authorities, businesses and the third sector to ensure service continuity.

The findings highlight a challenge for maintaining proximity services in smaller Lombardy communities and call for coordinated action by institutions, cooperatives and local stakeholders to secure food access across the territory.

Source: Confcooperative Consumo e Utenza Lombardia (Report 2022–2025) and regional assembly.