Rewe Germany presented a new approach in local cooperation at the International Green Week in Berlin. As a pioneer in the German food retail sector, Rewe wishes to strengthen its support for local suppliers and producers through its "local partnership" model. Its objective is to define binding parameters for cooperation and to contribute to the preservation of agricultural structures. Rewe retailers, store managers, and local representatives in different regions connect local suppliers and producer organizations with the nearest Rewe supermarket. They can, for example, help them with their marketing by referencing their products or by serving as direct contacts on site. Orientation towards shorter supply chains Local partnerships provide reliable advice to local suppliers and producers in their commercial relationships with Rewe retailers and store managers. Rewe also seeks to retain the expertise and manual skills of the local industry and to enable local actors to engage in long-term planning. The position of local representative was created specifically for this purpose. These representatives work with retailers and store managers. Together, they provide local suppliers with a wide range of help and support to enable them to exploit synergies and develop together within the framework of a close and trust-based cooperation. New roles In addition, the Rewe Group has appointed lawyer Andreas von Máriássy as an external "mediator." People involved at the local level can contact him if they have concerns or problems. He is also the compliance officer for the cooperative. One of his responsibilities is to examine all the information he receives and to determine the measures to be taken with the Rewe Group. Upon request, the mediator protects the identity of whistleblowers. This service is offered to them free of charge. With its "local partnership" model, the Rewe Group is setting new standards in local cooperation in the German food retail sector. Not only does it benefit small local suppliers and producers, but it also allows individual customers to find more local products in nearby supermarkets. The Rewe Group in figures With a turnover of 31.6 billion euros (2024), more than 170,000 employees, and more than 3,800 REWE stores, Rewe Markt GmbH is one of the leading food retail companies in Germany. Rewe stores are operated by subsidiaries or independent Rewe retailers. The cooperatively organized Rewe Group is one of the leading commercial and tourist groups in Germany and Europe. In 2024, the company generated a total external turnover of around 96.1 billion euros. Founded in 1927, the Rewe Group has around 380,000 employees and is present in 21 European countries. For more information on Rewe and its local partnership program, you can write here.