Independent Retail Europe

How does the SME-empowering cooperative business model of groups of independent retailers function? In the EU, hundreds of thousands of independent retailers operate across many sectors as members of groups of independent retailers. Locally-anchored, they employ millions of people and offer excellent products and expertise. Their business model is key to their success, supporting their entrepreneurial spirit, their autonomy and the uniqueness of each of their stores. Dedicated to serving them, their central cooperative structure, which they jointly own and control, enables them to unify their forces and flourish as a group as well as individually. These family-run businesses make a very important contribution to our local economies.   The unique business model of groups of independent retailers merits recognition by EU and national policy makers to continue to benefit retail SMEs, consumers, local communities and society! REWE Group Conad EDEKA ZENTRALE Stiftung & Co. KG Euronics Group Expert International Retail Fédération du Commerce Coopératif et Associé (FCA) Groupement des Mousquetaires ICA Gruppen INTERSPORT Group Kesko - K-Group SPAR International DER MITTELSTANDSVERBUND - ZGV e.V. (SME Groups Germany) Barcelona Comerç Markant Gruppe ANWR GROUP Find our video with subtitles in 🇨🇿 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇭🇺 🇷🇴 ➡ https://lnkd.in/eMaKj4Si

Food loss and waste leads to important economic losses, impacting companies and consumers. By reducing food waste we can improve food security, lower GHG emissions and save money and resources that would otherwise have gone to waste #FoodWasteEU #FLWDay

The Digital Consumer Information Alliance urges European policymakers to adopt a coordinated approach on product information via digital means. This is in the interest of consumers & economic operators, including SMEs. A harmonised, future-proof framework across products is essential! Find more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZBtHYZr #DigitalLabelling #YesWeScan 

Yesterday in Zurich, Independent Retail Europe was pleased to join the celebration of the 35th anniversary of EMD AG, a leading retail alliance of independent retailers in Europe. Our Director General, Else Groen, attended the event and met with Philippe Gruyters, Managing Director of EMD, to mark this important milestone. EMD’s journey as a retail alliance of 14 members and partners across 17 countries, covering 55.000 points of sale in Europe continues to make a significant impact on the European retail market by enabling local retailers to remain competitive in the modern food retail market. We congratulate EMD on their continuous success and look forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation! #Anniversary #EMD35Years #retailalliance

In cooperation with the other 6 members of the Liaison Committee of the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices, Independent Retail Europe co-organised the event ‘Cracking the Code to More Sustainable Sourcing in Food Supply Chains’.   🤝 The event brought together farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and policymakers to share real examples of individual companies’ advancement on sustainable sourcing and traceability and discuss remaining challenges in food supply chains. The European Commission emphasised again the need to encourage more companies, particularly SMEs, to sign up to the Code of Conduct. They outlined the support mechanisms the Commission has put in place to support SMEs, and called on all signatories to the Code of Conduct to go beyond initiatives that are now obligatory due to upcoming legislation.   👉 The Code aims to promote the green transition of the economic operators in the food supply chain by means of voluntary sustainability pledges that go beyond what is already required by law. It enables economic operators to showcase their proactive sustainability engagements, to raise issues with the policy makers and forms a platform for exchange between the key EU associations involved in the food supply chain and with the EU Commission.   As one of the first signatories to the EU Code of Conduct and a member of its Liaison Committee, we remain committed to encouraging our members to align their business practices with the Code’s sustainability goals for a more responsible food future.

At the start of this EU political mandate, we look forward to engaging with the new policymakers to jointly shape the future of groups of independent retailers. 👥 Groups of independent retailers are formed by independent retailers with the objective of strengthening their competitiveness versus large integrated groups in the retail market. Adhering to such a group unlocks a wide range of benefits for SME retailers. Let’s explore a few: ➡ Autonomy: As independent entrepreneurs, they lead and run their stores; they have full ownership of their business and strategic and operational independence. They gear their businesses towards their local community. ➡ Strategic participation through shareholder empowerment: The group places the power in the hands of its member retailer-shareholders. They are not just a part of a network, but vital decision makers, influencing joint commercial policies and network strategies. ➡ Support and exclusive services: Members of the group have access to a wide range of exclusive services provided by the central cooperative group. From joint purchasing and logistics to marketing support and online sales channels, they have access to the tools and services needed to thrive as SMEs in today’s competitive retail market.   ➡ Community-led: The groups foster a culture of solidarity, trust, and joint commitment among their SME members. Being a member of a group makes you part of a community united by a common brand and shared values. Together, they support each other's growth and success.

 🎉 We are excited to share that we have moved! 📍 Located at rue Archimède 5, right next to the European Commission and the Council, we are now even more at the heart of the EU decision-making process. We look forward to welcoming EU policymakers, fellow stakeholders, members and friends to our new premises! 

 🎉 We are excited to share that we have moved! 📍 Located at rue Archimède 5, right next to the European Commission and the Council, we are now even more at the heart of the EU decision-making process. We look forward to welcoming EU policymakers, fellow stakeholders, members and friends to our new premises! 

At the start of this EU political mandate, we look forward to engaging with the new policymakers to jointly shape the future of groups of independent retailers. 👥 Groups of independent retailers are formed by independent retailers with the objective of strengthening their competitiveness versus large integrated groups in the retail market. Adhering to such a group unlocks a wide range of benefits for SME retailers. Let’s explore a few: ➡ Autonomy: As independent entrepreneurs, they lead and run their stores; they have full ownership of their business and strategic and operational independence. They gear their businesses towards their local community. ➡ Strategic participation through shareholder empowerment: The group places the power in the hands of its member retailer-shareholders. They are not just a part of a network, but vital decision makers, influencing joint commercial policies and network strategies. ➡ Support and exclusive services: Members of the group have access to a wide range of exclusive services provided by the central cooperative group. From joint purchasing and logistics to marketing support and online sales channels, they have access to the tools and services needed to thrive as SMEs in today’s competitive retail market.   ➡ Community-led: The groups foster a culture of solidarity, trust, and joint commitment among their SME members. Being a member of a group makes you part of a community united by a common brand and shared values. Together, they support each other's growth and success.

☀️ As we embrace the summer season, support our European SME retailers by shopping in their numerous shops across Europe. These local heroes offer the best quality products and a unique local shopping experience, enriching our holidays and contributing to a relaxing and joyful summer period. Support our beautiful local EU communities with your purchases at their local retailers. #Shoplocal #SMEretailers #Independentretailers #Happysummer