The web as an answer to the crisis of design
Italian design focuses on the web to launch its global showcase. Until 2011, online sales of the sector accounted for under 1% of total internet sales, however, last year this figure has doubled. According to the Milan Polytechnic University: “in recent months, the number of websites that offer furniture pieces has grown”, says Valentina Pontiggia, researcher of the e-commerce observatory of Milan Polytechnic University. The most popular model is the “flash sales” one. Limited offers and big discounts on stocks that the big brands want to sell off. You can sign up to Dalani (dalani.it), an online shopping community, only by invitation. Lovethesign (lovethesign.com) is instead open to everyone and 1 million people signed up since last November.