VG DAY, the exclusive event by Piedmontese wholesaler Viglietta Guido dedicated to retail customers, took place on Sunday, October 5th, at the prestigious Reggia di Venaria venue in Turin.

In a single day, Viglietta Guido offered a unique and refined experience to nearly 2,000 guests who visited the stands of the approximately 50 suppliers present.

Our editorial team enthusiastically participated in the event and was able to “experience firsthand” the pleasant atmosphere among the stands.

Here is what Stefano Viglietta told us in detail.

Buyer Point: The VG DAY is confirmed as a crucial appointment. Let’s start with the numbers: how many companies and visitors did you host this year, and what was your team’s contribution?

Stefano Viglietta: We are extremely satisfied. The event saw the participation of almost 400 businesses, with an overall attendance nearing 2,000 people. To manage an event of this magnitude, Viglietta Guido’s internal staff was present in synergy with our sales force. It was a concerted effort essential to guarantee the best experience for all our guests.

Buyer Point: What was the visitor profile? Did the event attract only retailers from Piedmont? And which customer categories responded with the most enthusiasm?

Stefano Viglietta: The event had a significant appeal well beyond regional borders, involving retailers from all over the Northwest. This demonstrates our capacity for aggregation. From the perspective of categories, the interest was cross-cutting, with strong participation from hardware stores, but also from related sectors such as building supply warehouses, agricultural suppliers, and paint shops. It’s a mix that reflects the breadth of our offering.

Buyer Point: The success was also measured by the very positive atmosphere among the participants. What, in your opinion, is the element that allows VG DAY to renew itself and create this atmosphere of trust and collaboration in every edition?

Stefano Viglietta: Renewing an event of this size is never trivial. I believe the decisive ingredient is our well-tested format: a perfectly balanced mix of intense business moments, dedicated to product knowledge, and more informal and leisure moments. This combination creates the right feeling and strengthens relationships, transforming an open day into a true and proper valuable networking experience.

Buyer Point: The hardware sector is notoriously linked to trust and personal relationships. In a digital era, are physical events like VG DAY still the only way to overcome mistrust and effectively present innovations along the supply chain, from supplier to retailer?

Stefano Viglietta: Absolutely yes, direct contact at these events is irreplaceable. In our sector, the introduction of an innovation requires time, trust, and discussion. VG DAY is the ideal platform where all the links in the supply chain can meet and build that mutual trust which is the foundation of any good business deal.

Buyer Point: Now that the post-Covid boom and incentives are a thing of the past, how is the hardware sector doing and what are your predictions for the coming months?

Stefano Viglietta: Currently, the hardware market, along with the construction market, is undergoing a natural settling phase. The years of strong momentum, driven by the pandemic and building incentives, are behind us; today we find ourselves in a more stable context, but also a much more selective one.

The market is no longer for everyone: it is unreservedly rewarding those who are prepared, constantly up-to-date, and capable of renewing their offering.