Questions and answers about the Shopfitting Network (dlv)
The dlv represents the interests of the entire sector – the shopfitting companies as well as their suppliers. Here you will find some of the most frequently-asked questions about the association.
Since when has the dlv been in existence?
The Deutscher Ladenbau Verband (German Association of Shopfitters) was founded in 1974 from the working groups of the wood and metal processing industries, and was established as a specialist section within the HDH. The dlv celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2009. Apart from shopfitting companies, firms in the supply industry have also been members of the dlv since 1995.
Deutscher Ladenbau Verband or dlv - Netzwerk Ladenbau? Which is the correct title?
In 2003 a survey of the member companies was conducted by external consultants with the aim of modernising the structures within the dlv and making them more effective. In 2005 the Deutscher Ladenbau Verband presented itself at the EuroShop in Düsseldorf for the first time to the general public as dlv – Netzwerk Ladenbau. The term Netzwerk Ladenbau (shopfitting network) was chosen to unite under a single heading the various trades which contribute to the fitting out of a shop and to emphasise this concept in the association’s name. Today the network is a powerful association of the most important shopfitting companies in Germany. Supply companies, which operate within the network and contribute their expertise to the shopfitting sector, help to strengthen the group. The dlv – Netzwerk Ladenbau is nonetheless still the Deutscher Ladenbau Verband, which has been in operation for the past 35 years.
How has the dlv developed?
In recent years the dlv has become an important contact for shopfitting companies. These figures provide impressive proof:
- Member firms within the dlv in 2003: 78 firms
- Member firms within the dlv in 2010: 125 firms
- Number of participants at the annual meeting in 2003: 49 participants
- Number of participants at the annual meeting in 2010: 170 participants
- Number of regular publications of the dlv in 2003: 1 publication
- Number of regular publications of the dlv in 2010: 4 publications
- Number of planning departments in the retail sector which regularly received information from the dlv in 2003: 0 planning departments
- Number of planning departments in the retail sector which regularly received information from the dlv in 2010: ca. 1.600 planning departments
- No. of times the dlv appeared at trade fairs and congresses in 2003, apart from the EuroShop: 0 times
- No. of times the dlv appeared at trade fairs and congresses in 2010, apart from the EuroShop: 6 times
- Average no. of enquiries which reached the dlv by post/e-mail in 2003: 0.1 enquiries
- Average no. of enquiries which reached the dlv by post/e-mail in 2010: 5 enquiries
Whom does the dlv represent?
As a business organisation the association represents companies within the investment goods industry. 80 % of the TOP 50 companies in shopfitting are member companies within the dlv. The association’s aims are strongly marketing-oriented and focus directly on the target group of its members, the retail sector. The member companies expect us to provide expert knowledge, a willingness to co-operate and services.
What are the benefits for a company arising from membership of the dlv?
The many benefits which companies gain from membership of the dlv have been summarised in detail under dlv – Network – Services for members
As a foreign company am I also able to become a member?
Shopfitting has become a sector which operates on a global scale. Our shopfitting companies follow their retail customers into the international markets. No company can afford to operate on a solely regional basis.
The dlv already includes member companies from Austria, South Tyrol, France and the Netherlands. One of the prerequisites for membership is that you have already gained experience of the German market and that you can provide reference projects in Germany.
