As of 2023, the number of employees in the Italian retail sale of food in specialized stores sector stood at approximately 73,000. Forecasts indicate a steady yearly increase in employment numbers, reaching 82.02 thousand by 2028. Year-on-year growth rates from 2024 to 2028 vary from approximately 2.23% to 2.47%, reflecting a consistent upward trend. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the five-year forecast period is around 2.18%.

Future trends to watch for include:

Impact of technological advancements on labor demand, particularly automation and digitalization.
Changing consumer preferences towards specialty and niche food products that may influence employment patterns.
Evolving regulatory and economic conditions that could affect the sector's growth trajectory.