Page 14 - Informed 2018 Issue 2

New national associations deal constructs a brighter future
ICSC’s relationship with national associa- tions – the regional bodies charged with supporting the people and businesses involved in the diverse world of retail property – is changing
REVO, the UK national organisation representing retail property and placemaking, recently became
the fourteenth national association to sign the agreement with ICSC to reach
a new level of collaboration, fostering a more dynamic relationship between the pan-European body and the country-level organisations. This new blueprint will allow the national bodies to be more involved in what ICSC does as well as enabling best practises to be more successfully shared across the board.
As the chief executive of the French national association, I’m more than aware that the retail property business is very different in each country, not only in terms of customs and legislative matters. But there are some universal trends and clear lessons that can translate from one territory to another, and we see this new
agreement as a kind of open dialogue allowing us to do just that.
The national organisations that have signed up for the new partnership so
far include Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. It’s a reminder that we are stronger together and echoes the work that ICSC is currently exploring at an
EU level. ICSC recently appointed a new Head of European Public Affairs, Joost Koomen, to sit full time in Brussels, in order to lobby and execute some market intelligence on behalf of the associations. On a retail property level, each country doesn’t have the firepower to lobby the European parliament individually, but together we can unite on matters such as tax, highlighting further the divergence between duties paid by e-commerce and physical retailers.
It also creates a more level playing field for national associations to communicate amongst one another and work together.
In the past, some national bodies had closer relationships than others, but
the future will make all paths clearer.
In terms of public affairs and outreach, there’s a chance to generate a unified voice on behalf of the retail real estate industry to augment perception and understanding of the importance and contribution of retail destinations to the vitality of the communities they serve.
Able to make a difference
We’re also looking forward to enhancing the quality of retail environments by sharing thought leadership, case studies and combining the collective insights
of over 10,000 members across Europe. Meanwhile, on a member level, benefits will include better support and improved member engagement, by focusing on organisation co-operation and offering a clearer value proposition.
All in all, the new agreement is about feeling a little more powerful and able to make a difference as the industry contin- ues to evolve, while fostering constructive dialogue. And that is never a bad thing.
By Gontran Thüring, Chief Executive, French Council of Shopping Centers
14 | ICSC INFORMED | NOVEMBER 2018