Milan, Italy
Only an hour and a half from the Alps and with 3 airports many people will find themselves passing through.
Gear shops include:
Decathlon:
www.decathlon.it
If you're driving you'll likely pass a branch or too of this store. For vistors using public transport there is a branch bang in the city centre near the Castle (Metro station - Cairoli). Has the usual range of Decathlon stuff, both own brand and TNF etc. Good for pucking up tent pegs, cheap base layers etc. But I've not seen screw top gas there ever. Just the piercable ones from Camping Gaz.
Germani Sport
http://www.intersport.com/stores/milano-mi-intersport-germani_s7512
Part of the Intersport group there a few branches of this chain scattered about the city centre. Including one very close to the Duomo (cathedral). Stocks mostly fashion stuff but has a limited range of ski gear during the winter and a very very small amount of camping and hiking stuff.
Tutto per lo Sport
http://www.tuttoperlosport.it/
Just South of the main square on Via Torino, hidden up some stairs is this specialist store. Good quality gear from the main brands, but small and pricey.
Alp Station
http://alpstationmilano.com/
A bit of trek from the city centre (Metro Station Lodi) is this specialist outdoor store. The biggest and best I've found so far. Has
pretty much everything you might need at a reasonable (for Milan) price.
Monti in citta
http://www.montiincitta.it/
Not a gear shop, but a mountain book shop. Huge range of guides and mountain literature. (Almost)all in Italian unfortunately, but worth a visit if you have even a rudimentary comprehension of written Italian. Again a bit of a trek from the centre (tram number 9 I think will take you there)
