Over the past decade, a growing number of people have traded trolleys for home delivery. But while the online retail experience continues to evolve, less is happening in-store. Coop Italia is hoping to change this with a flagship store that it’s touting as ‘the supermarket of the future’.

Luxury retailers were slow to fully embrace e-commerce, but with the global online luxury market predicted to be worth $41.8 billion by 2019, and 14% of Gen Yers buying their first luxury piece online, brands are discovering the importance of a strong digital presence. Knowing that the web can’t quite compete with a glass of champers and a private view, online platforms are imitating the personal attention and care usually only lavished on customers in stores.

More than half of Italians prefer neighbourhood stores over larger chain supermarkets. With grocery e-commerce still struggling to achieve widespread adoption, they seem to be more attached to the quality of face-to-face customer service in independent supermarkets, in their local area.

Local food networks in Italy are offering ethical eaters an alternative to larger supermarkets. As Italians increasingly want their food to support workers' rights, consuming from producers who support the local economy is changing how Italians eat.