In Italy, the economic crisis persists and involves a significant number of families, according to the most recent data fromFindomestic Monthly Observatory of the BNP Paribas Group. Almost the 40% of Italian families faces economic difficulties defined as “very” or “fairly” problematic. The Italians are then facing difficulty saving, with over half (52%) unable to put aside any of the income earned in the last three months and then there is always the anxiety of inflation which "firmly remains the main concern of 6 out of 10 Italians" explains Claudio Bardazzi, Head of the Observatory.
It is in this general context that puts the economic stability of families to the test that thefamily help becomes fundamental for 3 out of 10 families.
The family helps pay bills and groceries
In recent years, approximately 29% of Italians received economic aid from their family, with the majority (23%) benefiting from this support on a recurring basis. The main reasons behind this assistance are the need to incur expenses crucial daily newspapers such as bills e food expenses. 10% instead received one-off financial support from their family members in the form of loan, donation of money or important goods.
Financial help comes mainly from parents (60%) and in a smaller percentage (13%) from brothers or sisters.
Purchases are down, cars and household appliances are down
Consumers' purchasing intentions, the Observatory explains, are recording an average decline. The incentives for cars low-emission combustion engines, widely used by Italians, are sold out quickly, causing a slowdown in intentions to purchase new cars (-11,5%) and lowering (-8,3%) the average propensity of Italians to purchase in the next 3 months. The mobility sector, including the purchase of used cars and motorcycles, recorded a significant decline, of 16,5% and 18,2% respectively.
However, other sectors are also suffering: in the domestic environment, a double-digit decline is observed for plants thermal insulation (-19,5%) and small appliances (-11,4%). Furthermore, large household appliances (-6,3%), furniture (-4,5%), fixtures (-2,4%), and condensing and biomass boilers (-0,9%) are decreasing. .
“Minus” sign also for the propensity to purchase in technology sector: cameras (-4,7%), tablets (-4,9%), TVs (-6,5%), telephony (-10,2%) and PCs (-13,5%).
Purchase intentions: travel and scooters are rising
Heat pumps recorded growth of 8,3%, while photovoltaic/solar thermal systems increased by 6,5%.
With the arrival of spring, the travel intentions (+10,8%). If the technological sector retreats, interest in it grows instead scooters (+28%) ed e-bike (6%). These sectors thus compensate for the decrease in other segments of the leisure sector, such as sports equipment and DIY.
There are also positive signs heat pumps (+ 8,3%) and photovoltaic/solar thermal systems (+ 6,5%).
“Consumers are projected towards the summer: purchasing intentions for scooters (+28%) and e-bikes (6%) are growing as are those for travel (+10,8%) which offset the negative trends of other segments of the "leisure time" sector: -8,4% for sports equipment and -6,4% for DIY" explains Bardazzi.
