The local supply has “migrated” from many communities in recent decades. Around a third of all Austrian communities currently no longer has a local supplier with full range. “With digital shops and innovative offerings of offer, we can bring you back to our town cores-even back to small communities,” says the municipal association president Johannes Pressl convinced. The Austrian Community Association provides a position paper that relies on digitization, more flexible opening times and tailor -made solutions for under -supplied communities.
Concrete claims from the position paper
1) Use innovation & digitization specifically
Goal: Everyday, accessible and lifelike local supply through modern technology
Financial support: Digital access systems, 24h-digi stores, hybrid markets, call buses and smart delivery logistics should enable everyday and economic local supply.
“We need modern rules for a modern reality: Digi shops must not fail because of yesterday’s opening times.” – Johannes Pressl
2) Multifunctional centers in the town center
Goal: Increase customer frequency, revitalize vacancies, create a social meeting point
Requirement: The municipal association wants to combine multifunctional town centers, the food trade with additional services such as post, ATM, gastronomy or pharmacies.
“If you create more reasons to get to the town center, strengthen local supply and community.” – Johannes Pressl
3) Remove regulatory hurdles
Goal: Flexify opening times, facilitate construction, commercial and monument protection law, as well as market access fairs fairly & rethink monopolies
Demands:
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Expansion of opening times for automated sales outlets (24h) and hybrid markets (extended operating times).
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Reliefs in construction, commercial and monument protection law to make vacancy more easily usable.
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A review of existing monopolies (e.g. tobacco, pharmacies) for a fair market opening in rural areas.
“The regulations often come from a time when the reality of local supply has presented itself completely differently.” – John Pressl
4) Diversity instead of unit solution & economy instead of “subsidy operation”
Goal: No permanent subsidies, but sustainable, locally adapted models
Requirement: Instead of unit models, the municipal association calls for a nationwide professional organization based on the model of the Lower Austrian Nafes to support municipalities and regional entrepreneurs in concept development and implementation.
“Not in the long term, but economically sustainable, locally adapted solutions secure the supply in the long term.” – Johannes Pressl
You can download the local supply position paper from the following link: Download position paper.
Information about the Austrian Association:
The Austrian Community Association has been the municipal advocacy of the Austrian municipalities and cities at the federal level since 1947 and represents a total of around 70 percent of the Austrian population.