Walmart signs distribution deal with Italian Foreign Trade Agency

US retail distribution giant Walmart has signed an agreement with the Italian Foreign Trade Agency (ICE) for the distribution of Italian products in the USA. "The USA are the main market for Made-in-Italy products," said Italian Minister for Economic Development Carlo Calenda, commenting in the deal.

The agreement, according to a press release, "marks the success of the strategic plan [to support] Made-in-Italy products in the USA, which has so far generated a return equal to 15 times the investment undertaken."

According to Calenda, the Walmart deal shows how the USA, which are already a highly rewarding market for Italian goods, still have export growth potential for Italy. This is especially true in the food sector, with 10 new agreements signed with 7 retailers in the last two years, introducing to the US market 368 new suppliers and 1,200 Italian products. "From now on - said Calenda - and thanks to ICE's efforts, premium Italian goods will be featured across the 3,600 US stores of the world's largest retail corporation."