Three questions with Sebastian Lange to mark the tenth anniversary of REWE Group’s Berlin Office.

Politics, legislation, and society have become increasingly complex and diverse in recent years. The variety of topics that are addressed by politics and regulated by laws is constantly increasing. As a rule, this happens because social perspectives are changing. Citizens view aspects such as environmental protection, equality, sustainability, or the protection of minorities differently today than they did 20 or 30 years ago. In addition to business associations such as the retail or employers’ associations, which are present in Berlin and represent the interests of their members, companies increasingly also do this themselves. Compared to other sectors, the retail industry is even relatively late to the game. Ten years ago, REWE Group was the first major food retailer to open an office in Berlin. In the meantime, however, the competition has followed suit.

Our office is primarily intended to be a point of contact and information. We see ourselves as a place where dialogue takes centre stage – without stucco and chandeliers. That is why we avoid the term ‘representative office’, because it always sounds a bit like golden faucets. We hold discussions with our stakeholders in the office, organise our own smaller events, are a workplace for REWE Group colleagues who are in Berlin on business and need a quiet room with access to the company network and coffee, and host association committees from time to time, for example.

One clear difference is certainly the pace – even complex and far-reaching legislative proposals are now sent out with very short deadlines for consultation, which makes it challenging for associations, our company experts, and oneself to fully grasp and assess a draft law immediately. This is certainly also because in recent years it feels like we have been in a constant crisis mode – from the COVID-19 pandemic to the consequences of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, from the escalating Middle East conflict to the increasingly noticeable impacts of climate change, from the Ahr Valley floods in Rhineland-Palatinate to the drought periods we are experiencing or have experienced. This all has impact on the political landscape.

With the pace comes an ever-greater political ambition – many things are intended to be regulated more comprehensively than before, often with quite ambitious goals, such as climate or consumer protection. In practice, however, this often involves a high level of effort in implementation and an increase in bureaucracy or reporting obligations for companies. Here, I would wish for more focus on the practical experiences of companies. We are also highly committed to sustainability and climate and consumer protection, but we think from a practical perspective and know how customers behave. It is our job as the Public Affairs department to stay engaged and explain – both in Berlin and in Brussels at the EU level, where we are a member of an office corporation with other German retailers.

A third point, in addition to pace and ambition, is the issue of transparency and compliance. The German transparency register, known as “Lobbyregister”, which has been in place since 2022, is one example – but it also reflects a generally changed understanding of Public Affairs work. More than ever, providing information, and giving insights into our business activities, which we like to call practical checks, is central. Providing arguments succinctly and in a form that is immediately usable for political counterparts, whether in writing, in direct conversation, or at an event, is essential. Impressing people with champagne in the evening works on fewer people nowadays, and that is a good thing. As REWE Group, we have always had an information-focused approach, and we continue to pursue that consistently.

Instead of one big highlight, there are countless small ones. There are the many appointments and discussions in our office, be it with members of parliament, with employees of associations and institutions, or with colleagues who – because they are currently in Berlin – stop by for a coffee and a quiet corner to work. We have also organised various events in our office – and continue to do so. The proximity to the REWE supermarket or DERTOUR travel agency two floors below our office always pays off. This allows us to demonstrate directly ‘on the ground’ how we are driving forward IT innovations or energy-saving measures.
Finally, we have also been able to celebrate many lobbying successes over the last ten years. Sometimes on a smaller and sometimes on a larger scale, we have succeeded in introducing our arguments into the political process, ensuring that we have room to manoeuvre for our company, establish new business opportunities, or avert excessive burdens. Moments such as these reaffirm our entire Public Affairs team in what we do – and make us look forward to at least another ten years.