Confcommercio said Friday that Milan Expo 2015 could add as much as 2.7 billion euros to Italy's economy, or about 0.2% to GDP.
As well, the Holy Year Jubilee declared by Pope Francis to begin in December should add 0.3% to GDP, the retailers' group said.
Overall GDP growth should by 1.1% this year, rising to 1.4% in 2016, it forecast. As well, it said retail sales grew by 0.1% in January compared with December and increased by 1.7% when compared with January 2014.
The group said that small business as well as large are seeing improvements, including a rise in food sales, which were up by 2.9% compared to January 2014.
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