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The increasing concentration, both on the
manufacturing side and in the retail trade itself, is a reality
in the age of globalisation. Over the next ten years the degree
of concentration of the top 10 retailers will reach 70 to
75 per cent for the whole of Europe.
All the more important, therefore, is the role of the independent
retail trade. The independent "shopkeeper around the
corner"– integrated in a national and international
network such as EMD – is not and end-of-line model,
but an important guarantor of competent local supply. The
knowledge of local and regional peculiarities, direct personal
contact to the customer and independent entrepreneurialism
will remain important in the future for a sustainable food
retailing sector. Particularly at a time of increasing exchangeability
of the offers, the independent retail trade is again and again
generating individual impulses and innovations – often
with a strong local connection.
EMD and its members are aware of this important national
economic responsibility. In a strong organisation a diverse
range of offers can be ensured for the customers and attractive
small companies – as a convincing alternative to global
standardisation.
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