"Fortunatamente vendo ai cinesi!". Commercianti italiani e consumatori cinesi a Prato

Abstract: The paper shows the main results of a research about Chinese consumers in the area of Pra- to through the particular point of view of the Italian retailers. Despite a widespread representation which depicts the Chinese people settled as a homogeneous «community», this group of consumers is increasingly internal differentiated and characterized by a rather complex socio-economic strati- fication. The emergence of local Chinese «middle classes» is associated with and can be analysed through the lens of specific consumption patterns. The research reveals the opportunities that the Chinese group, thanks to its local consumption and involvement in social transnational networks, may bring to the overall host society. Therefore, the study of consumption becomes a new and original way to understand the complexity of Chinese migrants’ social stratification in Prato.