ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Confimprese and SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency participated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, specializing in support of the competitiveness of Italian companies through insurance-financial tools for export and risk management, have signed an agreement with the aim of promoting the use of SACE instruments by the members of the Confimprese, carrying out joint initiatives of promotion.
“The agreement with SACE – explains Mario Resca, President Confimprese – is a step to strengthen the international competitiveness of retail and service companies. In a complex economic scenario, access to risk management tools and export support is decisive. The collaboration with SACE goes in this direction, providing operational solutions and qualified skills. It is a clear signal of the importance of making system between institutions and enterprises to support the growth of the Italian entrepreneurial fabric. We are convinced that this synergy will generate concrete and lasting value throughout our associative system.”.
“The collaboration with Confimprese multiplies the impact of our work – explains Michele Pignotti, CEO of SACE – Thanks to our agreement, the associated companies will have strategic SACE services and tools available to address with greater solidity and awareness foreign markets, from risk management to export development opportunities. The agreement is not only a formal commitment, but the start of a shared path made of training, networking and exchange of skills, elements that are now indispensable to compete in an increasingly complex global scenario.”.
With regard to the expansion on foreign markets, despite the worrying international scenario, which jeopardizes the holding of consumption, the annual survey conducted by the Confimprese Study Centre on the opening plans of the associative base abroad, confirms an increase of the balance of points of sale equal to +7.6% on 2025 and 2.737 new trade exercises. 90% of the sample already abroad will continue to expand the network of its stores. Notable is the development in franchising, which increases by 9.4%, compared to the direct one that grows by 0.1% compared to the perimeter of 2025.
In the head of the target countries, Western Europe is confirmed as 48% of retailers, followed by Eastern Europe (19%), Middle East (14%), Asia Pacific (13%). America tail light at 4% and Africa at 3%. The preferred development channel is the commercial centers for 62% of companies. France and Ukraine are the countries where most closures will occur. 50% does not carry out market tests before starting development.
The other half prefers the opening of shop-in-shop as a first experiment before the expansion. International performance shows some interesting factors for retailers. Foreign turnover represents on average 16% of total corporate turnover, with peaks over 50% for some realities.
In addition, foreign trends with constant perimeters are all positive: 50% of the companies recorded trends on average of +3.5%. In particular clothing-articles sees a 60% of companies with performance up to 8%.
However, there are some difficulties expressed during the landing on international markets. In particular, retail companies have indicated among the major difficulties of finding qualified franchisees, ensuring partners with sufficient resources and managing the complexity of the supply chain.
They follow the application of regulatory compliance to deal with different legal frameworks, personnel management (recruit and train qualified personnel), the adaptation of the concept (balance brand and local market), brand recognition (building awareness in new markets).
-Photos press office Sace-
(ITALPRESS).
