80% of Italian retailers fail accessibility

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80% of Italian retailers fail accessibility

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Achieving digital accessibility remains a critical challenge for many of Italy’s leading online retailers. Despite increasing awareness and the impending European Accessibility Act (EAA), significant gaps persist, preventing individuals with disabilities from fully engaging with e-commerce platforms. Our comprehensive evaluation of 30 of the top Italian retailers has revealed a range of accessibility barriers, many of which impact both user experience and compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The findings clearly indicate that Italian Retailers Fail Accessibility, underscoring the need for targeted improvements to bridge these gaps

To assess accessibility levels, each retailer’s website was assigned a score based on EAA compliance. A score of 5/5 represents full adherence to best practices, while lower scores highlight areas for improvement. The data confirms that Italian retailers fail accessibility at a systemic level, with widespread non-compliance in critical e-commerce features. The results are concerning: only 6.9% of retailers achieved a score of 4/5 or higher, while a staggering 44.8% scored just 2/5, indicating widespread accessibility failures. 

Italy’s regulatory framework consists of a robust system designed to enforce compliance with accessibility standards, featuring a range of penalties determined by various factors. According to the Stanca Act, non-compliance can lead to fines ranging from €5,000 to €40,000, influenced by the degree of non-conformity, the number of non-compliant products or services, and the total number of users affected. Additionally, an extra fine between €2,500 and €30,000 may be levied if corrective actions are not promptly implemented. Entities that refuse to cooperate with authorities may incur another penalty within the same range. Moreover, failure to adopt corrective measures within the specified timeframe could result in the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market. These measures highlight Italy’s legislative dedication to digital accessibility, raising questions about the current state of accessibility among the nation’s top online retailers.

Overview of accessibility compliance 

Many Italian retailers fail to meet even basic accessibility criteria, posing usability challenges for individuals relying on assistive technologies. These shortcomings not only create frustrating user experiences but also expose companies to legal and reputational risks. Some of the most common issues identified include: 

• Incorrect heading structures, disrupting content navigation. 
• Missing or non-functional skip links, preventing efficient page access. 
• Keyboard navigation traps, making it difficult for users with disabilities to interact with the site. 
• Low contrast ratios, making text difficult to read for visually impaired users. 

While some retailers have begun to address these issues – such as improving focus management and adding descriptive link text – these efforts remain inconsistent and fail to meet full compliance standards. 

Breakdown of accessibility challenges by sector 

Accessibility barriers were observed across multiple industries, with notable shortcomings in: 

E-commerce platforms 

Many online stores struggle with fundamental accessibility requirements, particularly in product search, checkout processes, and form usability. The data shows that nearly 45% of retailers had unlabeled buttons and inaccessible form fields, creating difficulties for screen reader users. Sites that scored below 2/5 lacked even the most basic accessibility features, such as semantic HTML for navigation and properly labeled interactive elements. These failures not only exclude users with disabilities but also lead to increased shopping cart abandonment rates, directly impacting business revenue. 

Fashion retailers 

The fashion sector exhibits persistent accessibility issues, particularly concerning non-descriptive links and missing alternative text for images. Over 70% of fashion retailers failed to provide adequate text descriptions for key visuals, making it difficult for visually impaired users to engage with product details and promotions. Additionally, many retailers demonstrate inconsistent focus order, complicating navigation for users relying on keyboard controls. Most fashion retailers scored below 3/5, underscoring the industry’s need for immediate improvements. 

Electronics retailers 

Approximately 50% of electronics websites struggled with poor contrast ratios and inaccessible forms, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to interact with product descriptions and checkout pages. Many forms lacked proper labels, leading to confusion during input processes. The majority of electronics retailers scored between 2/5 and 3/5, signaling moderate but insufficient compliance with accessibility standards. 

Why Italian retailers fail accessibility

The evaluation’s scoring system paints a stark picture of accessibility shortcomings in Italy’s retail sector: 

• 44.8% of retailers scored 2/5, reflecting serious accessibility barriers. 
• 34.5% scored 3/5, demonstrating partial compliance but significant room for improvement. 
• Only 6.9% reached 4/5 or higher, indicating a small fraction of businesses proactively addressing accessibility. 
• The average accessibility score is just 2.34/5, well below ideal compliance standards. 

These figures highlight the urgency for Italian retailers to prioritize accessibility improvements to avoid potential legal penalties under the EAA. With 44.8% retailers scoring 2/5 or lower, these businesses face heightened risks of non-compliance fines and potential restrictions on operations within the EU market. Additionally, 34.5% of retailers scoring 3/5 indicates a significant number of companies are only partially meeting accessibility requirements, leaving room for improvement to ensure full compliance. While a small minority of retailers (6.9%) have demonstrated strong accessibility practices, the majority still lag behind, necessitating immediate action to address these critical gaps. Failure to act not only risks financial penalties but also damages brand reputation.

Call to action 

To bridge the current accessibility gaps, Italian retailers should implement the following measures: 

• Conduct regular accessibility audits using both automated tools and manual testing by individuals with disabilities. 
• Adopt WCAG AA guidelines as a minimum standard across all digital platforms. 
• Provide ongoing accessibility training for development teams to ensure consistent implementation. 
• Engage individuals with disabilities in the testing and feedback process to identify real-world usability challenges. 

Addressing these accessibility issues is crucial for fostering an inclusive digital environment. By taking proactive steps, businesses can improve user experience, comply with legal requirements, and expand their customer base. With the EAA’s enforcement on the horizon, Italian retailers must act now to ensure digital accessibility is a fundamental part of their strategy.

Read more about our European Accessibility Act Services that we offer.