News Retail

Rinascente returns to Rome centre

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

12 Oct, 2017

Historic department store makes a comeback in central Rome.

Rinascente, the Italian department store whose former flagship base on Via del Corso was taken over by Spanish retail giant Zara seven years ago, opens a new outlet on nearby Via del Tritone on 12 October.

The opening in the central shopping district - celebrated with a day of live music and special events - is seen as a triumphant return by the firm which abandoned its Via del Corso base 11 years ago.

Rinascente's new flagship store in Rome. Photo *Il Messaggero*.

Located on the Via Due Macelli corner of Via del Tritone, the 14,000-sqm store is spread out over eight floors, including a rooftop terrace and four restaurants.

The basement houses a 60-m section of the Aqua Virgo, one of ancient Rome's acqueducts dating to 19 BC, which was discovered during the building's 11 years of construction and restoration works.

Part of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct can be seen in the building's basement.

Founded in Milan in 1865, Rinascente is a nationwide chain of high-end stores selling mainly Italian brands of fashion, accessories, beauty, home, design and food items.

When the firm's former flagship store in Rome was taken over by low-cost foreign clothing chain Zara it was seen as a slap in the face for the so-called Made in Italy brand. Rinascente's return to downtown Rome 11 years later has been described by Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera as "revenge".