Over the past ten years, more than 21,000 bars have closed in Italy, with a net loss of 706 in the first half of 2025 alone. The five-year survival rate for new businesses remains low at 53%, reflecting sector fragility.
Despite these challenges, bars continue to play a key role in Italian social life. The sector includes nearly 128,000 businesses, employing 400,000 people—almost 60% of whom are women—and generating over €20 billion in consumption.
These issues were highlighted during “The Future of Italian Bars”, organized by Fipe-Confcommercio at HostMilano. Discussions emphasized bars as spaces of social interaction and cultural identity.
Lino Enrico Stoppani, Fipe President, stressed the need to balance economic sustainability with quality service. Andrea Illy highlighted bars’ social and cultural significance, likening their public reach to that of media, and supported a sector-wide initiative to preserve this heritage.