Anyone reading the latest DEHOGA figures these weeks will clearly feel the industry's worries. In July 2025, sales in the hospitality industry fell by around nine per cent - a bitter blow when we would all have liked to have seen a summer revival. Many businesses are struggling with rising costs and many guests are now thinking more carefully about what they spend their money on. This has cast a noticeable shadow over an industry that actually wants to give us pleasure and enjoyment.
And yet, despite all the difficulties, catering remains indispensable. It is far more than the sum of food and drink. It is a place where people come together, laugh, talk, celebrate - in short: share life. Restaurants, small pubs, canteens and cafeterias are at the heart of our society.
This is exactly where we at Paul M. Müller come in. We deliberately have a broad base and think not only about traditional catering, but also about communal catering. What counts in both areas is that good food remains affordable - and this is precisely where our strength lies. With our clear profile in the price-conscious segment, we score points with pizza, pasta and co. - with our large selection of vegetables, fruit, pulses and delicatessen products. These are products that people like, that can be calculated economically and that enable enjoyment even in challenging times.
Just as people come together in restaurants and canteens across the country, this will also happen at Anuga. Our team is very much looking forward to it, as it gives us the opportunity to have real face-to-face conversations with customers, suppliers and partners - encounters that are more effective than any digital contact. We are particularly pleased that colleagues from the Netherlands and Austria will be joining our German team at the stand this year. This not only makes us more international, but also more diverse - a clear signal that we are ready for the future.
Of course, the markets remain difficult and no one knows what challenges the coming months will bring. But our approach is clear: reliable quality, fair prices and a team that is passionate about what they do. A good example of this is our new colleague Christina Metzger, who has joined our Purchasing team following the departure of Eve-Florence Gölz. She brings fresh vigour and will meet many of you in person at Anuga.
My conclusion? Yes, times are challenging. But we remain confident because we know that we can find ways forward together with our partners. And because we are convinced that, in the end, it's not just pure numbers that count, but the encounters from person to person - they are what strengthen our industry and make it strong in the long term.
Sincerely,
Yours, Thomas Schneidawind
