Udine economy shifts from retail to services and hospitality

Udine is experiencing a structural economic shift as its historic center resists commercial desertification by transitioning from traditional retail to a service-oriented economy. Data from the Urban Regeneration Protocol, involving the Municipality, Confcommercio, and the Pordenone-Udine Chamber of Commerce, shows that while retail trade in the historic center fell by 3.5% between 2021 and 2025, the sectors of catering, accommodation, and artisan services grew by 3.5% and 9.5% respectively.

Across the entire municipality, total active businesses increased from 10,485 to 10,747. This growth is driven by professional services, culture, and personal services, offsetting the decline in traditional shops. The city is utilizing economic relaunch funds to support new business settlements and urban redevelopment.

Other regional cultural and gastronomic events are also scheduled, including the Ein Prosit festival in Udine featuring international chefs, the Trallallero theater festival in the Friuli hills, and the gluten-free festival in Ascoli Piceno.