METRO’S own business day celebrates independent businesses for the fifth

• All own businesses have the possibility to present their business on www.own-business-day.com and at the same time receive an entry on Google Maps
• Everyone is invited to support their favorite own business within the #OneForYou initiative
• #CountOnUs – more than 90,000 METRO employees receive a 20 Euro voucher to be spent with an own business of their choice

For the 5th year in a row, METRO is offering all independent businesses a stage and celebrating business owners worldwide on this year’s Own Business Day on 13 October. The objective is to give all independent business owners the attention and recognition they deserve – especially in these days. That’s why on Own Business Day activities are planned in 23 METRO countries. For example, the wholesaler is inviting all employees worldwide to actively support their favorite own business with a 20 Euro voucher. Already before 13 October, every own business can present their business and services on www.own-business-day.com and will also be listed free of charge on Google Maps.

Whether it’s the cosy Italian restaurant next door, the small café on the corner or the shop in the neighbourhood, open 24/7: Own businesses enrich society every day. That’s why METRO has launched the Own Business Day in 2016 to celebrate the self-employed in a special way: Every year on the 2nd Tuesday of October, we want to promote independent businesses and give them the attention they deserve. COVID-19 has an impact on everyone, with the gastronomy sector continuing to be put to the test. However, these past months also offered the opportunity to create a greater understanding of the role of gastronomy for society and to now celebrate their contribution to our daily lives as well as their spirit of endurance.

Accordingly, activities around the Own Business Day are planned in 23 METRO countries. On 8 October a panel discussion in Duesseldorf, organised by METRO, including voices from economy, politics and restaurateurs, debated on how effective the state aid already provided to the gastronomy industry has been and what the industry needs right now to get through the upcoming winter. The following questions were also touched: What do founders and founders in the gastronomy sector need in order to gain a foothold in our cities? What can cities and politics do in concrete terms to ensure that owner-managed restaurants, cafés and bars are successful in the long term?

The Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the gastronomy industry into an existential crisis. The industry, which is one of the most affected economically, is defending itself against the economic consequences with creativity and perseverance. Many restaurateurs are rethinking, redesigning, some are even starting up. In this way the sector is showing courage and at the same time creating a significant basis for the quality of life in our towns and communities.

Against this background, METRO has launched the #CountOnUs initiative and invites all its employees worldwide to support their personal favourites with a 20 Euro voucher directly on site. In this way, METRO would like to thank the self-employed for their commitment over the past months and underline that the company is living up to its promise “Your success is our business”.

In addition, METRO is calling everyone to participate in the initiative #OneForYou on social media. The idea: People show their appreciation for each other by, for example, ordering a drink for another person whom they cannot meet in person – especially in times of social distancing. In this way, they help own businesses to generate more sales and increase customer traffic at their favourite own business and on their social media channels at the same time.

All information about the participating businesses: www.own-businessday.com