Perugia seeks European Capital of Small Retail 2028 title

The city of Perugia has announced its intention to apply for the European Capital of Small Retail title for 2028. Mayor Vittoria Ferdinandi and Councilor for Commerce Andrea Stafisso shared the plan during a national Confcommercio event in Bari.

With a population of approximately 160,000, Perugia falls into the Vibrant City category, which is designated for municipalities with between 50,000 and 250,000 residents. The title lasts for 12 months and offers international visibility, technical assistance, and opportunities to exchange best practices with other European administrations, though it does not include direct municipal funding.

The candidacy will focus on four key evaluation areas: sustainability, support for entrepreneurship and community involvement, digitalization, and urban attractiveness. A central pillar of the administration’s strategy is promoting generational renewal within the retail sector by encouraging young entrepreneurs to launch new businesses and providing them with necessary digital skills and tools.