Strategies and performance in Italian food & beverages

The food and beverage industry is extremely complex and competitive; at the same time, the firms that operate in such industry have interesting opportunities when they are able to: (i) develop their export; (ii) implement the proper communication of the feature of the regional products; and (iii) innovate. Although the Italian export is growing, the operational profitability is decreasing because the Italian food & beverage industry lacks in terms of efficient logistic and strong distribution channels. Typical product is often just a label because is delimited in a specific area and it is weakly communicate outside the production area. In particular, firms and consortia are not able to develop a strong relationship with the foodservice industry. Open innovation models could be the main possibility of small-medium firms to compete at national and international level.