Confcommercio Rimini criticizes mobility policies amid retail decline

Confcommercio Rimini has raised concerns regarding the significant decline of retail businesses in the Rimini area. Between 2012 and 2025, the territory lost a total of 1,013 retail activities. Specifically, the municipality of Rimini saw a decrease of 345 units (14.1%), while the province experienced a drop of 668 units (12.4%).

Gianni Zanzini, the provincial president of Confcommercio, criticized local mobility policies, specifically pointing to Start Romagna’s decision to implement seven daily trips on Line 8 directly to the Le Befane shopping center. The association argues that while the shopping center benefits from extensive free parking and new dedicated bus services, traditional city centers face increasing restrictions such as expanded Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL), electronic gates, and paid parking.

Confcommercio suggests that the liberalization of opening hours and holidays starting in 2012 may have impacted competition. The association maintains that mobility planning should better account for the survival of local retail and the connectivity needs of inland areas and smaller hamlets.