POST CONFERENCE

Role and importance of retail markets to European economies

 

WUWM Declaration

The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) meeting for its first Retail Conference in Hamburg, Germany - one of the market metropolises of Europe with over 60 municipal and 40 private street markets - between 12 and 14 June 2008 in a conference entitled “European Retail Markets
Driving Communities” does unanimously approve the following declaration:

The Retail Section of the WUWM notes the preliminary results of its statistical analysis on the role and importance of retail markets to European economies. Current extrapolated figures show that the number of retail markets operating in EU countries is at least 25,000 with more than 450,000 retail market traders operating businesses on those markets. Additionally, more than 1 million people are working on retail markets in the EU with the total retail market turnover of these markets surpassing
35 billion Euros. Subsequently, we urge the European Commission and member states to support markets managers and traders by providing funding to enable further studies into this important sector.

As a result of this conference with representatives from 11 participating countries, WUWM Retail recognises that strong community involvement is a welcome and necessary part of any retail market’s ongoing development. We acknowledge that market efficiency requires a full awareness of the latest technical equipment, as well as an effective strategy for the market’s promotion and marketing.

In light of the strong role that retail markets play in the socio-economic development and sustainability of European communities, we would welcome increased understanding and acknowledgement by the European Commission, national and local decision-makers, as well as the general public of their importance to the following:

- Regeneration and Economy
- Food and Health
- Culture and Tourism
- Community Cohesion
- The Environment

Retail markets also lend support to local agricultural industries, help ensure continuity of supply, and facilitate the monitoring of food standards and quality control measures.

We believe that by supporting the role and well-being of markets and market traders we in turn support European consumers, as well as those European policies that lay beneficial foundations for all business and competition to thrive.

We note that Retail Markets depend on the existence and support of a credible wholesale market network or problems will arise whereby market traders become submerged by large players, such as discounter hyper and supermarkets. This limits competition and choice for the consumer and the
ability of small and medium businesses to develop, grow and compete fairly.

The Retail Section of the WUWM reconfirms its aims and objectives:

1. To provide effective information and knowledge exchange between members, as well as with other public or private bodies;
2. To offer a strategy and comprehensive knowledge of the global retail market industry;
3. To support members in the operation and promotion of their markets;
4. To lobby public/private decision-making bodies, parliamentary groups, legislators, and other market related organizations on behalf of the sector;
5. To promote and develop best practice within the retail market sector.

WUWM Retail encourages all European retail market management authorities and traders, as well as all other relevant industry partners, to collaborate with WUWM and participate in strengthening the retail market representation within European communities, media, and decision-making bodies.

We recommend that the next WUWM Retail Conference provide a strong focus on the business and social strategies of retail/street markets as public services, including new marketing concepts and training.

Hamburg, Germany, 13 June 2008