WUWM - RETAIL CONFERENCE

WELCOME!

Welcome by Axel Gedaschko
Senator at the Ministry of Economics and Labour Affairs

Dear Sir or Madam, dear Guest,

On behalf of the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg I am pleased to welcome you to our city.

No other European city has as many weekly markets as Hamburg. This historic, cultural, social and economic stock – composed of over 60 municipal and more than 40 private markets – makes Hamburg the market metropolis of Europe and market trading a significant economic factor. The traders are often family enterprises that have been in operation for generations. Weekly street markets offer a very special shopping experience “in the fresh air”, together with fresh produce – often from the region – and a wide variety of social interaction. The boss often serves his customers in person; advising the customer – when asked – is seen as a primary service, unlike in other retail outlets.

I am delighted that at this, the first WUWM Retail Conference, an international gathering has come together to discuss methods of strengthening and furthering the development of retail and weekly markets, and that Hamburg is your chosen venue. I hope your talks will be productive and that, despite the packed conference schedule, you will find some time to enjoy a few of numerous sights in our beautiful city.

Axel Gedaschko
Senator at the Ministry of Economics and Labour Affairs

Introduction

After 50 years of wholesale market representation, the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) opened its doors to retail market membership in 2006. This was done out of increasing recognition for the valuable contribution made by retail market operators and authorities to the markets industry, and to support the common agenda wholesale and retail markets share today.

The newly-formed WUWM Retail Section aims to accomplish the following:

Information and knowledge exchange - between members, as well as with other public or private bodies;
To offer a strategy and comprehensive knowledge of the global retail market industry;
Support members in the operation and promotion of their markets;
Lobbying - including public/private decision-making bodies, parliamentary groups, legislators, and other market related organizations;
To promote and develop best practice within the retail market sector.

This WUWM Retail Conference is a vital first step in developing WUWM as a pro-active and leading platform for the retail market sector globally. Actions the past year have focused on consolidating the European arm of the Section by ensuring a united voice for retail markets within the European Union. Activities included the formalization of a European retail market definition, and conducting a survey which seeks to build a picture of the role and importance of retail markets in key European countries.

We invite you to join us in this first WUWM Retail Conference. Support the movement to ensure a leading authoritative voice exists in support of the retail market sector, internationally and regionally!

This conference is for any:

Retail market authorities and decision-makers
Retail market traders (and their associations);
Local authority representatives (e.g. Heads of Markets, Leaders of Councils, etc);
Town centre managers and town planners;
Government agencies working for retail/commerce/food retail businesses;
Any professionals interested in the social and/or economic benefits of markets

For further information on WUWM please visit: www.wuwm.org