The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Retail Conference, held between 12-14 June in Hamburg, Germany, highlighted the importance of retail and street markets to economies and communities in the European Union.
The event, hosted by Hamburg Wholesale Market and the Hamburg Market Traders Association, revealed that an estimated 25,000 retail markets are currently operating in the EU, with over 450,000 traders operating in those markets.
Additionally, more than 1m people work onthose retail markets, which have a combined turnover surpassing €35bn.
A declaration signed by WUWM members at the event has urged the European Commission and its member states to formallyacknowledge the vital role of street and retail markets and asks forsupport, such as the provision of funding to enable further studiesinto the sector, to be provided.
Under the banner European Retail Markets Driving Communities, the event also saw discussions on strengthening and developing retail markets throughout Europe, and provided an opportunity to discuss the need for effectivecommunity involvement in market development and the need for efficiency inretail market promotions. Delegates also reviewed the latest technicalinnovations in market equipment and practices.
Technicalvisits were made to the Hamburg wholesale market, as well as toGroßneumarkt and Langenhorner Markt – two retail markets withinHamburg – and to Borco Hoehns, a specialist market equipment companysituated in nearby Rotenburg.
The conference was aimed at retailmarket authorities and decision-makers, retail market traders (andtheir associations), local authority representatives, town centremanagers, town planners, government agencies working forretail, commercial and food retail businesses, and professionals interested inthe social and/or economic benefits of markets.
» WUWM
