Wholesale and retail markets at a cross road

MEDIA RELEASE

4 October 2017
 

Leaders of wholesale and retail markets are coming together in Melbourne later this month to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry today.

Leading Concept Developer and VGA Owner in The Netherlands, Rene Van Gool, will discuss the disruptive initiatives in the food chain and share his journey and insights into this global shift.

“Some of the world’s largest markets are currently facing major cross roads in the supply chain from farm to fork,” he said.

“Just one example is The Netherlands – one of the largest fruit producers and exporters in the world – which has an annual turnover of AUD 140 billion, however, this type of economy is all coming to an end as the industry goes through a period of major change.”

The World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress (WUWM) is held every two years and will be hosted in Australia for the first time in almost three decades. Host markets the Melbourne Market Authority (MMA), Queen Victoria Market (QVM) and Sydney Markets Limited (SML), have secured a strong line-up of local and international speakers and panellists to discuss what the future will look like for markets.

“The congress program has been developed around the theme of market modernisation,” MMA Chief Executive Mark Maskiell said.

“The speakers will discuss the changing retail landscape, infrastructure renewal or redevelopment, the digital revolution’s impact on markets, sustainability challenges and solutions, as well as leadership through rapidly changing times.”

The congress line-up includes the Chair of Trustees at Borough Market, Donald Hyslop, who was instrumental in reshaping London’s oldest food market into an iconic retail and community hub catering for millions of visitors each year.

Delegates will also be able to share in the challenges and successes of Pike Market in Seattle, as Asset Director John Turnbull shares his strategy focusing on historic preservation, locally owned small businesses, an economically diverse residential population and public stewardship.

Other speakers include: University of Melbourne Professor of Business and Economics Colin McLeod, LaManna Premier Group Chief Executive Anthony DiPietro, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College in London Dr David Hughes and Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Director Joanne Wandel.

The WUWM Congress will be held from 23-25 October 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and continues for an extra day in Sydney on the 27 October.  More than 250 local and international delegates are expected to attend from more than 20 countries around the world.

For more information on the congress program and speaker profiles, visit www.wuwmcongress.org

Media Contact

Hannah Jonkers

Communications Advisor, Melbourne Market Authority

E: hannah.jonkers@melbournemarket.com.au

P: 03 9258 6188