Members of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) recently met in Hamburg, Germany for the first ever WUWM Retail Conference. At this event, we presented the preliminary results of a statistical analysis of the role and importance of retail markets to European economies. Extrapolated figures showed that the number of retail markets operating in EU countries is at least 25,000, and that there are more than 450,000 retail market traders operating businesses on those markets alone.

With the additional news that there are more than one million people working on retail markets in the EU, which have a total turnover surpassing €35 billion (£27bn) and, considering the many socio-economic benefits these markets bring to communities, one would think that the local authorities in charge of them would have come together to ensure that the interests of markets are placed high on local, national and regional agendas long ago. Sadly, that has not been the case, though it seems that some countries have taken steps to improve and rectify the situation.

Strong community involvement is a welcome and necessary part of any retail market’s ongoing development. With markets directly influencing local communities in areas as diverse as regeneration and economy, food and health, culture and tourism, community cohesion and the environment, it is a necessity that decision-making bodies at all levels become more active, supportive and better informed about this sector.

It is clear that there is an urgent need to reconsider the role and effectiveness of the food chain within the local economy, to bring the way food is distributed and sold to people, as well as the manner it is produced, back to basics that support and enhance thriving communities.

WUWM Retail encourages all retail market management authorities and traders, as well as all other relevant industry partners, to collaborate with us and participate in strengthening retail markets’ representation. Our aim is to provide decision makers, our members, and the sector with effective information and knowledge exchange. We offer a strategy for the industry, support our members in the operation and promotion of their markets, provide lobbying opportunities, and promote and develop best practice within the retail market sector.

WUWM believes that by supporting the role and wellbeing of markets and market traders, it in turn supports consumers, as well as policies that lay beneficial foundations for all businesses and competition to thrive. Being involved in the movement to enhance the profile and effectiveness of retail markets throughout Europe may be challenging, but it definitely has its rewards. While only some of those rewards are evident now, there are many more to come.