We love the Monoprix in France just to pick up everyday sundries, is there a similar chain in Italy, particularly in Florence? Thanks, annieladd

Don't think there is a chain store like Monoprix in Italy. The anti-chain, anti-bigbox store culture is stronger in Italy than in France.

The smaller, mom-and-pop stores are more interesting.

In Tuscany, it is the big Coop supermarkets (Ipercoop). The really big ones have everything, including wood burning oven-cooked fresh bread. There are about 12 of medium size inside Florence and at least two very big ones in the suburbs: Lastra a Signa, via S. Maria a Castagnolo; Sesto Fiorentino, Via Petrosa 19-21-23

When we were renting a house in Tuscany with friends we frequented a Monoprix-like supermarket called "Conad", which soon became "Gonad". IIRC, they had all the usual sundries at reasonable prices.

There is a Standa store near the post office in Florence.