Across Europe, retailers are ramping up for the much-awaited peak spending season. But in Italy, there’s even more to celebrate. The Salone dei Pagamenti in Milan throws open its doors to visitors from 23-25 November, and Castles will be on Stand F01 to greet them.
Every year Il Salone dei Pagamenti explores local and global payments innovation and emerging trends.
Entrance is free and it attracts a broad spectrum of banking and retail professionals as well as influencers and students. If last year’s event is anything to go by, we can expect over 11,000 visitors, 60+ sessions and workshops from 250 speakers.
The event reflects the importance of Italy as is Europe’s fourth largest economy and the ninth largest in the world.
Italy’s 60 million consumers, have high standards when it comes to quality and service. Making its retail outlets ripe for payments solutions, like Castles, that can deliver on both counts.
This year, mobile payments are likely to be high on the agenda especially since in-store mobile payments rose 122% in Italy in 2021, according to Nexi. At the same time, a third (32%) of Italian merchants have already equipped themselves with a Mobile POS. So we expect lots of interest in our next generation Saturn android devices.
Physical retailers are ready to invest
The return of international tourism has had a positive impact on the country’s high street with shopping centres performance turnover back to pre-pandemic levels since April 2022.
Innovation in brick-and-mortar stores from smart virtual integrated outlets to contactless, self-service and unattended payments – will breathe new life into the fragile status of the high street. And make shopping faster and more convenient for both overseas visitors and Italian consumers.
Great shopping experiences more important than ever
In Italy, as with many European markets, economic pressures mean retailers are having to work even harder to win custom and move the decision-bar beyond price.
Faced with rising costs Italian consumers are tightening their belts. According to McKinsey, they are shifting to discounters and private labels choosing brands and retailers that offer lower prices and value for money and most are planning to spend less this year.
Castles POS solutions can help merchants boost demand by delivering better in store experiences
Our exciting payment terminal technology connects multiple channels and utilises best in class formfactors and functionality. All while making it easier to optimise physical sales operations and achieve growth KPIs.
Castles is also perfect for building customized market-specific solutions. A great example of this is our work with partner Farmacash who aims to reduce the digital divide bringing back banking and postal services to the citizens via local pharmacies. They will be with us in Milan, displaying an all-in-one solution that facilitates all types of payments and withdrawals using a QR code reader. The system also has a dashboard that tracks every single transaction and gives the pharmacy complete control.
Meet the Castles team and discover more about our world leading solutions and local support at Salone dei Pagamenti on Stand F01.
