WUWM 4th Retail Conference

20 - 21 June 2011
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Executive summary:

During the 4th WUWM Retail Conference in Amsterdam experts discussed issues such as the importance of retail markets to national economies and policy, and the significance of location and accessibility for retail markets in urban planning. In addition, the meeting reviewed the response of governments and the European Commission to the 2011 E-coli crisis, specifically emphasizing the lack of support for market traders in comparison to the support for producers. Attendants also expressed the essential role retail markets have in achieving environmental and sustainability goals needed for the future of our planet.

The key outcomes of this meeting are:

  1. WUWM encourages continued vigilance by market authorities and national administrations to update their knowledge of the contribution markets make to the economy. The market role cannot be underestimated, and subsequently WUWM Retail encourages new countries entering the Union to adopt the same homogenous approach to market rules so that this may extend the knowledge base of the WUWM and help create a common policy throughout Europe, and other world regions.
  2. WUWM promotes increased attention within local, national, and regional governments to ensuring opportunities are taken by decision-makers to support increased professionalism in markets, both in the management and trading conducted on retail markets, thereby supporting the integral public-service role of these businesses.
  3. At this time, where large retailers attempt to return to city centers, WUWM encourages city planners and urban developers to consider the role of the retail market and support that markets retain their primary assets: location and accessibility.
  4. In light of the recent E-coli crisis (2011, first outbreak: Germany, source: contaminated organic fenugreek sprouts) and the compensation currently offered member states in the European Union, WUWM encourages the Commission, as well as national governments, to consider not only the plight of producers, but also that of market traders, many having experienced severe losses as a result of this situation.
  5. WUWM congratulates the many retail members of the Union that continue to support local and national environmental and/or sustainability goals, using the retail markets as a tool for common good.

Main issues discussed:

  • The Market Place in Retail Policy
    • Expert panel discussion
      • Jean-Paul Auguste, President, Groupe Geraud, France
      • Maarten de Graaf, Policy Advisor, HBD, the Netherlands
      • Graham Wilson, CEO, NABMA, UK
      • Malcolm Veigas, Assistant Director, Bolton City Council, UK
      • Michael Weinreich, Bundesverband Deutscher Schausteller und Marktkaufleute e.V, Germany
      • Roberto Alonso, Retail Market Department Director, Mercasa, Spain
      • Henk Achterhuis, President, Dutch Market Traders Assoc (CVAH), the Netherlands
  • The Market Role in Urban Planning
    • Ceren Sezer, Architect, Urban4 Consultancy, the Netherlands
    • Hermida Rodríguez Delmiro, Management Consultant, MHAF Consultores, Vigo, Spain
    • Niels Loenborg Brandt, Manager, Jeudan A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Identifying the Market Professional
    • Maarten de Graaf, Policy Advisor, HBD, Netherlands
    • Marcel Abels, Secretary, NVGM, the Netherlands
    • Joe Harrison, CEO, NMTF, UK
    • Jean-Paul Auguste, President, Groupe Geraud, France
  • Ensuring Responsible Markets
    • Maarten de Graaf, Policy Advisor, HBD, Netherlands
    • Lars Janssen, CEO, ECMKB, the Netherlands
    • Jasper van Gaalen, Senior Researcher, BMC, the Netherlands
    • Ghislaine Mittendorff, Dutch Health Authority, the Netherlands

Other outcomes agreed to in the Declaration of 21 June 2011 (unanimous agreement of):

  1. We note the significance of retail markets to the Netherlands with over 24,000 registered market traders conducting business on over 1,000 weekly markets. Retail markets provide the equivalent of 45.500 full time jobs and contribute 3.2 billion euro, supporting 4.25% of the 75 billion Euro of total consumer spending in the country.
  2. Studies and statistical analysis within various European member states provides ongoing evidence of the importance of markets to effective retail policy. We encourage continued vigilance by market authorities and national administrations to update their knowledge of the contribution markets make to the economy. The market role cannot be underestimated, and subsequently WUWM Retail encourages new countries entering the Union to adopt the same homogenous approach to market rules so that this may extend the knowledge base of the WUWM and help create a common policy throughout Europe, and other world regions.
  3. We encourage increased attention within local, national and regional governments to ensuring opportunities are taken by decision-makers to support increased professionalism in markets, both in the management and trading conducted on retail markets, thereby supporting the integral public-service role of these businesses.
  4. At this time where large retailers attempt to return to city centers, we encourage city planners and urban developers to consider the role of the retail market and support that markets retain their primary assets: location and accessibility.
  5. In light of the recent E-coli crisis and the compensation currently offered member states in the European Union, we encourage the Commission, as well as national governments, to consider not only the plight of producers, but also that of market traders, many having experienced severe losses as a result of this situation.
  6. WUWM congratulates the many retail members of the Union that continue to support local and national environmental and/or sustainability goals, using the retail markets as a tool for common good.
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