PW: France's FNAC Headed to Italy

France's FNAC chain has been exporting its particular mix of electronics, music, video and books well beyond its borders. But it had long hesitated to move into Italy, most likely because of that country's legendary slim pickings, perhaps also because of the professionalism and reach of bookstore chains operated there. But now they're about to bite the bullet.

FNAC's Italian strategy involves a partnership with the ubiquitous Coin retail group, which includes clothing and general merchandise outlets operating under a number of trade names. The plan is to begin with half a dozen stores, sited at strategic center-city locations. The first is planned for Milan during the course of 2000, to be followed by Genoa, Naples, Padova and Verona, but not Rome.