In Parma, commercial activities involving food are spread
throughout the urban conurbation. In particular, independent
food retailers and food services are highly concentrated in the
inner city, while the suburbs are marked by a greater presence of
supermarkets and hypermarkets. With regard to the retail chain
sector, in 2009 there was a striking increase in the total sales
areas discounters and superettes (respectively +26.4 and +5.5%).