What I have achieved as an entrepreneur, I could never have done on my own! I am convinced of that! Our cooperative structure forms the foundation for the entrepreneurship of our more than 1,800 independent retailers – and has done so for almost 100 years. And we can then build on this individually with different focuses in the product range or store design. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel in so many areas: We have so much power and expertise within our own ranks, and I also benefit from this because I am part of a strong cooperative.
Three questions with REWE independent retailer Matthias Jacobs on the International Day of Cooperatives
July 5 is International Cooperatives Day. To mark the occasion, Matthias Jacobs, an REWE independent retailer from Göttingen, shares his view of the REWE Group's cooperative corporate structure in our "Three questions with" format. He also makes it clear that he would like to see more political support for the special needs of cooperative business models.
Reading time: 3 min.
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As an REWE independent retailer, you are part of the cooperative REWE Group. What does that mean for you personally?
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In your view, what values specifically define our cooperative corporate structure?
The community, of course. We all pull together – in good times and bad. And that applies to us retailers as well as to our interaction with Group headquarters. Of course, there are sometimes different opinions or interests, just like in any club or family. But at the end of the day, we pursue the same strategy – out of conviction – and this is where our strength lies. This year, the introduction of REWE Bonus was an impressive demonstration of this.
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Let’s take a look at politics from your perspective: What would you like to see with regard to the needs of collaborative business models?
That’s easy, it needs a lot more understanding! On the one hand, REWE Group is a giant company with 380,000 employees and external revenues of 96 billion euros. But what politicians often don’t realize is that as independent retailers, we are medium-sized entrepreneurs. I am an employer, local supplier and local taxpayer. Although we always have the Group behind us, I still have to stand my ground as an entrepreneur here in Göttingen. The issue of bureaucracy plays a huge role here. I always say: a butcher used to be a butcher. Today he is a butcher and an archivist because he has to document and record so much. We need real relief here, and I’m really looking forward to the concrete proposals from politicians.
About:
Matthias Jacobs
Matthias Jacobs operates three REWE stores and a Nahkauf Box in the Göttingen area.
