B2B payment practices trends, Italy 2024

Key takeaways from the report for Italy 

The 2024 Payment Practices Barometer survey for Italy was conducted between the end of Q1 and the beginning of Q2 2024. The findings should therefore be viewed with this in mind.

Payment terms relaxed amid positive trend in DSO

• Trading on credit in B2B sales continues to play an important role for companies in our survey of Italy. There is a consistent trend from the previous year with 45% of all B2B 
  sales currently being transacted on credit, mostly in a bid to boost sales. Businesses in the steel/metals sector report an upward trend to 52% of all B2B sales.
   
• There is an overall relaxation of payment terms being offered to B2B customers by businesses in Italy. 52% of companies are extending longer terms, with the chemicals
  and steel/metals industries leading this strategic change. In contrast, less than half of agri-food businesses are offering longer payment terms.

Concern rising about domestic economy and ageing workforce

• The major concern for companies in Italy across all sectors of our survey is the state of the domestic economy. This is felt in both the short-term and long-term, due to a widespread perception that the Italian economy is facing significant challenges. This worry is being compounded by a dip in both business and consumer confidence.
   
• Higher pressures from regulatory compliance are another area of both short-term and long-term anxiety for Italian companies across all industries. There is concern about
  potential changes in government policies, and also about environmental and sustainability issues. These are particularly felt in the steel/metals sector.

The Atradius Payment Practices Barometer is an annual survey of business-to-business (B2B) payment practices in markets across the world. Its findings can give valuable insights into the current dynamics of corporate payment behaviour in B2B trade. It can also help companies doing business, or planning to do so, in the markets polled to identify emerging future trends in the payment practices of B2B customers. 

Interested in finding out more? 

For a complete overview of the 2024 survey results for Italy and for Western Europe, please download the full reports available in the related documents section below. 

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