Winnenden stops vending machines: clear commitment to the cityscape!

Winnenden stops vending machines: clear commitment to the cityscape!

In Winnenden, an unusual transaction is causing discussions in the local council. The shop, which consists exclusively of vending machines, has set up four vending machines on Marktstrasse, between the Bürgerstüble pub and Metzger Kühnle, offering chocolate bars, lemonade, vapes and cigarettes. Despite the operators of the vending machines, who are looking for their place in times of digitalization, the local council has decided that no further shops of this type should be approved. The decision was made unanimously due to concerns that such business models could damage the cityscape. This step will be anchored in the future development plans for the city's core in order to preserve and strengthen the urban identity, reports ZVW.

Concerns about the cityscape are not unfounded, especially in an age where stationary retail is facing new challenges. Experts discuss how municipal retail concepts absolutely need to be adapted to keep pace with changes in shopping behavior. Digitalization has had a profound impact on purchasing behavior, so that online retail will already account for around 13.2% of total retail sales in 2023 and will even reach up to 41.8% in the fashion industry. In numerous cities, not just in Winnenden, the retail concepts are up for discussion, as stated in an article urban and economics is discussed in detail.

The challenges of stationary retail

Dr. Joachim Will, founder and managing director of ecostra GmbH, makes it clear that urban development features and strengthening the retail function in central business locations must have priority in the future. The decline in the supply function of stationary retail is becoming clear, but the urban planning importance of inner cities is growing. A need is emerging for physical spaces that act as “third places” where people can have social interactions.

The attractiveness of inner cities must be guaranteed by a diverse range of retail, catering, services and public spaces. The challenge is to attract people to cities and offer them experiences that are not possible in online retail. This is the only way to prevent vacancies from continuing to characterize inner cities.

The local council's decision in Winnenden is a first step in a comprehensive paradigm shift that is necessary to meet the demands of modern society. The city is faced with the task of rethinking and revitalizing existing concepts so that the cityscape remains attractive while at the same time ensuring its attractiveness for retailers and visitors.

With the clear aim of protecting the cityscape and at the same time providing adaptable concepts for the future, Winnenden shows that even small towns can actively work on the design of their inner cities. The next steps will be crucial in developing an appropriate, stable retail environment in the city.