Following the adoption of the Commission Communication on a European retail sector fit for the 21st century on 19 April 2018, the European Commission organised a first dedicated high-level conference on 19 June 2018. The event focused on best practices to facilitate retail establishment and reduce restrictions on retail operations identified in the Communication. It also explored the modernisation and revitalisation of small retailers.
One year after, on 19 June 2019, the Commission is hosting a second conference, to take stock of the developments since the adoption of the Communication. The event will explore how to improve the sector’s competitiveness with the best practices identified, and how to help businesses embrace the opportunities of the digital age. Participants will reflect on ways to make the case for further reforms to ensure a business environment supporting a dynamic and competitive retail sector. Based on good ideas put in place locally, the conference will also aim to inspire initiatives to help small retailers modernise and revitalise.
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, SMEs and Entrepreneurship will speak at the conference, together with a representative of the Romanian Presidency. The participants’ list includes representatives of authorities, retailers and other businesses, international organisations, the civil society and academia.
Further information shall be shortly available on the Retail Services website:
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/services/retail_en