The trade associations ANWR Schuh GmbH and Sabu Schuh & Marketing GmbH announced closer cooperation on Friday. “In times of challenging framework conditions, it is important for the shoe retail groups to join forces and thus jointly ensure the future viability of the affiliated retailers,” says a joint statement.
In concrete terms, there are initially two “strategic fields of action” at the center of the cooperation. Both partners are therefore striving for a “revitalization of the trade fair landscape”. “By focusing on fewer trade fairs with the right offer, the current dilution of the offer should be counteracted,” said the associations.
In addition, ANWR and Sabu want to ensure “joint personnel development for employees in retail”. “Especially against the background of the shortage of skilled workers, professional and needs-based training and further education is elementary for a successful shoe trade,” says the statement. “For example, ANWR and Sabu are planning to establish a joint online learning platform.”
Tobias Eichmeier, board member of the ANWR Group and managing director of ANWR Schuh, explained the goals of the cooperation: “By bundling our strengths, we want to unleash innovation potential that meets market needs and opens up future options for medium-sized shoe retailers overall,” he explained in a statement. “The basic advantages of the association groups are strengthened by strategic cooperation and the range of services for our dealers is expanded.”