Established in 1963,  UGAL – the Union of Groups of Independent Retailers of Europe – is the European association that acts as an umbrella organisation for the main groups of independent retailers in the food and non-food sectors.  

UGAL represents 

-almost 300,000 independent retailers

• with a combined retail turnover of more than 569 billion euros
• and more than 540,000 sales outlets

- 28 groups and associations of groups in Europe

• employing a total of over 5 millions people
• and generating wholesale turnover of more than 240 billion euros

Independent retailers/entrepreneurs – usually small and medium-sized enterprises – may run their business in various ways. One of the most successful is to join a group that operates at the wholesale level. Joining a group allows independent retailers/entrepreneurs to improve their economic performance, including by conveying a uniform group image to consumers via a common brand name.

These groups act in favour of their members, both to increase the value of their business, and improve the economic performance of their shops, as well as actively involving them in the working of the group. These groups ensure, in various ways, the participation of their members in the direction and management of the group. Furthermore they provide independent retailers with technical and material resources, together with all the services and the human capacity required to guarantee the development of flourishing retail businesses: purchasing pools, logistics and IT, financial services, consultancy, marketing, shopfitting and advice on trends, etc.

In this context, the UGAL objectives are to :

• promote independent retailers through groups,
• support and represent the interests and specificities of these groups within the European institutions and other relevant bodies,
• facilitate bilateral and multilateral exchange of experiences for those interested.