Even the so-called German locomotive has to deal with the negative trend that has struck the global economy and spares no one. Even if over the past 8 years there have been over 100,000 points of sale in the complements and mise-en-place sector that have closed, the dynamism of an event like Ambiente (the most important in the world) is the engine that is able to give this sector the energy to ignite it once again.
And the strong signal has even come (and fortunately, many have said) from German merchants who, this year, have repopulated the stands of the event.
The equilibrium that has long been pursued between traditional trade and online sales has perhaps finally found its own stability, eliminating the many rough spots between companies and sales channels.
What until a few years ago was considered only a bubble – we are talking about the parallel market linked to the digital market – today is a consolidated reality with which it is objectively possible to deal.
The behaviour of end users has changed and consequently, the world of trade could not remain standing at the sidelines for too long.
The experiences of the digital B2C and a (not simple) rationalisation of the purchase motives have brought Ambiente to creating a B2B marketplace where multinational companies find a place, but there is space also for small niche producers.
Nor has the ethical wave spared this sector, where more and more consumers are not just in the search of aesthetics and glamour, but consider the sustainable purchase as a necessity and a virtue: there is no doubt that also the green economy itself has got some aspects of a trend, but it is one that is quite welcome if it gives strength to the sector and at the same time improves the environment.
The 2020 edition (from 7 to 11 February) will indicate if this is a trend or if it is only one step toward brand new scenarios.
