Publication CEPYME500 2017

#WHOLESALE COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION SECTOR
What do you think are the main problems which the companies within
the sector face?
In addition to the mentioned instability, our SMEs and self-employed
businesses face great challenges. They are overcoming the digital divide,
adapting to the needs of new consumption profiles and committing
to an omnichannel model, which combines the advantages of physical
stores with the possibilities offered by virtual stores.
In this sense, public administrations must listen to the representatives
of the sector and, through dialogue and consensus, resolve important
issues such as the application of a model for the sales period that meets
the needs of businesses and consumers; elimination of administrative
barriers that interfere with shopping tourism and SMEs; the reinforcement
of training and professional qualifications and the improvement of
access to financing.
And the biggest opportunities?
The greatest opportunity for local trade is the enhancement of the
values it has always been known for: personalised customer service,
proximity, specialisation and quality of service. And, of course, the fact
that local trade is run by local people, our neighbours.
Which measures are companies taking to face challenges such as
internationalisation or digitalisation?
Although without a doubt, digital divide is a very important problem for
our sector, it is increasingly common to find SMEs and self-employed
workers that not only go online, but also are leading highly successful
projects that serve as an example for all commercial formats.
“Overcoming the digital
divide is key for our
sector”
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