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Future of retail: Experts will discuss in Demmin on November 10th
Retail in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Discussion on November 10th on urban development in Demmin with experts and practitioners.
Future of retail: Experts will discuss in Demmin on November 10th
Nowadays, retail is fighting for survival more than ever. Simone Mattukat, the managing director of “Eisen Duwe” in Demmin, pointed out in the most recent episode of “Talk vor Ort” that a colorful mix of shops, services and doctors are needed to keep the city centers alive. She has been running the company, founded in 1912, for 35 years. It originally specialized in hardware and now also includes a household goods store and a kitchen studio. So much change over the years, in the middle of a changing retail market! NDR reports on how the “Eisen Duwe” team attaches great importance to personal service and detailed advice. Many of the customers are loyal regulars who even travel over 30 kilometers to shop in Demmin.
A particularly impressive tradition is that several generations of a family bought their first washing machine from “Eisen Duwe”. This emotional connection to the business makes it an indispensable part of the community. Nevertheless, Mattukat notes that both retail and the city of Demmin have changed significantly. Shops are closing and the range of services on offer is becoming increasingly rare. A look at customer behavior shows that men are less interested in tools, while women are often found at the hairdresser. One wonders where this is going to lead.
Invitation to an important discussion
On November 10th there will be an exciting discussion in the Demmin Beermann Arena at 8 p.m. The panel guests alongside Mattukat are Jan Nissen, a city planner, Michael Schröder, city manager of Neubrandenburg, and Thomas Witkowski, mayor of Demmin. The central theme of the event will be the future of the city centers in the Haff-Müritz region, as well as new approaches to revitalizing retail.
Mattukat reminds us that retail cannot survive much longer without diverse offerings. This discussion could be of great importance for the future of the city and the maintenance of a vibrant merchant community. It remains to be hoped that the response to the event will be high; after all, the fate of the city center is in the hands of the citizens. So what’s next for retail in the region?