The DIHK Trade Committee addresses diverse topics related to stationary, hybrid, and digital trade. These include technological advancements, evolving consumption trends, urban center transformations, as well as issues concerning tax and regulatory burdens. The discussions benefit from the vast expertise of its members from varied industry backgrounds – ranging from specialized retail and wholesale to online and hybrid business models.

© Marko Priske

Interview Economic and Fiscal Policy

"We entrepreneurs must always stay vigilant"

Bernd Behrens was re-elected as chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Trade Committee in April 2021. We asked him about his practical experiences as an entrepreneur - especially regarding the transformation process of trade, which he believes is continuing to advance.

In its opening session for the 2023–2026 period, held on April 18, 2023, at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) in Berlin, the committee re-elected Mr. Bernd Behrens, Managing Director of SECTARI GmbH, as Chairman, with Ms. Carla Gundlach, Managing Director of bi-markt Bürobedarfsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, serving as Deputy Chair.

The spring meeting of the DIHK Trade Committee on April 27 and 28, 2026, in Munich, was centered on the theme "Digital into the Future?" Topics included the impact of digitalization on trade, the future of payment systems, current regulatory developments, and security concerns in physical retail. Ahead of the formal discussions, members visited Munich's traditional retailers Ludwig Beck and F.S. Kustermann for insights into how established businesses balance tradition with digital evolution. The social evening featured discussions with Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, addressing current economic challenges in the trade sector.

During the meeting, Dr. Manfred Gößl, Chief Executive of the Munich Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed participants. Key topics included consumer protection strategies aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers, with discussions led by Carmen Wegge, Spokesperson for Legal and Consumer Protection for the SPD Bundestag. The future of payment systems was also debated, featuring presentations from Dr. Heike Winter of the Deutsche Bundesbank on the Digital Euro and an industry panel discussion about new solutions like WERO.

Attendees received updates from DIHK experts about the economic landscape for trade and key policy initiatives from Berlin and Brussels, including the European Commission’s relief measures under the Omnibus procedure and upcoming regulatory frameworks like the European Product Act.

The topic of retail security rounded off the agenda. Findings from a DIHK-commissioned study on AI-supported camera technologies for crime prevention were presented by Dr. Georg Wittmann and Max Röthlein. Members discussed the increasing importance of security as a factor in location decisions for physical retail.

The next meeting of the DIHK Trade Committee will be held on October 12 and 13, 2026, in Berlin, to further explore industry challenges and strategic opportunities.

 The following members serve on the DIHK Trade Committee:

Current as of September 1, 2026.