Wholesale and retail markets are being modernised

With the digital age transforming all industries, wholesale and retail markets could be threatened by a number of challenges in the future.

The World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress (WUWM) will bring together over 250 local and international delegates from 20 countries around the world to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry.

The theme of the 2017 congress is the impact of technology on the market’s role in the supply chain and the customer experience, under the banner of market modernisation.

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.”

Hosted in Australia for the first time in almost 30 years, the congress line-up of speakers and panellists includes Donald Hyslop, chair of trustees at Borough Market, who contributed to reshaping London’s oldest food market into an iconic retail and community hub.

From the Netherlands, leading concept developer and VGA owner Rene Van Gool will also discuss the disruptive initiatives in the food chain and his thoughts on the global shift.

“Some of the world’s largest markets are currently facing major crossroads 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 A$140 billion; however, this type of economy is all coming to an end as the industry goes through a period of major change.”

John Turnbull, asset director of Pike Market in Seattle, will explore the development of the market in the urban environment, whereas Fiona Whitworth, general manager of strategy and operations at the Queen Victoria Market, will discuss combining traditional and contemporary approaches that allow the market to embrace new infrastructure while preserving its heritage value and local appeal.

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

The 2017 WUWM will be hosted by the Melbourne Market Authority, Queen Victoria Market and Sydney Markets Limited from 23–25 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, followed by an optional visit to Sydney on 27 October.