The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) has called on local governments across Europe to provide greater support to retail markets, claiming that although they are key to providing fresh, healthy food, they are often hampered by poor locations.
Street and municipal markets also deliver an alternative retail channel, one that supports price transparency, increased variety and diversity, but continue to suffer from a shortage of promotional and marketing funds, WUWM said.
In its declaration at the conclusion of the third WUWM Retail Conference, held in Dublin, Ireland, the organisation said that retail markets were “clear keys to ensuring quality, fresh, healthy food is available, affordable, and readily accessible to the public”.
“Retail markets also ensure an alternative retail channel exists - one that supports price transparency, increased variety and diversity of product, and ensures a competitive playing field is established for all sized businesses to compete,” said the declaration.
However, despite providing such benefits, the organisation said that European retail markets “do not always benefit from the most suitable locations, nor sufficient urban planning recognition or funding”.
WUWM said retail markets needed promotional and marketing funds to function optimally and operate competitively, as well as “effectively funded management” to provide for basic needs such as good lighting, sufficient parking, and safe, hygienic amenities.
The organisation called on local governments across Europe to provide municipal retail market operators with “the necessary support to continue their provision of long-term sustainable solutions to social and economic problems existing in our communities”.
WUWM said it also urged organisations as the Union of Cities & Local Government to place public market discussions back on the international agenda of local government.
