NEW, 13 January 2021: The final report of the Revitalising Retail workshops 2020 is now available.

The workshop explored what needs to be looked at in the retail sector, what may have been learned during the crisis and what is needed in the short and long term to recover and build resilience.

The role of retail in enhancing urban regeneration and reviving local communities within and outside city centres was also discussed.

The workshop was based on the Commission Communication, ‘A European retail sector fit for the 21^st Century’. It aimed to give participants, mainly local decision makers (those responsible for retail/city centres in regional or local administrations), the opportunity to learn which principles in the Services Directive apply to their decisions on opening shops in their local area, and to see how different EU countries approach the regulation of retail.

The workshop was also an opportunity to discuss how small retailers could benefit from support programmes under the 'Recovery and Resilience Facility' that was outlined in the 2021 Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy.

Participants also learned how to use the Commission guide ‘Facing the Future’ through the presentation of a real life example from experts, which shows what really works to revitalise and modernise small retailers and keep city centres lively and attractive, and how this was adapted to deal with the crisis. 

We hope that participants managed to pick up practical tips, have their questions answered, learn from other participants, and make contacts for the future so they can act to help their city’s retailers.

Practical info

The workshops took place in the morning. 

During the plenary, participants could speak and listen to interpretation in English, Estonian, French and German.

Break out groups were organised by common language based on the preference indicated at registration either in English, Estonian, French or German.

Another workshop was held on 1-2 October where English, Italian and Portuguese were be spoken. 

See more information about the Revitalising Retail workshops.

The workshops are part of the Single Market Forum 2019/2020.

Related links

Retail services

Commission Communication ‘A European retail sector fit for the 21^st Century’

Guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector

Facing the future: A practical guide for fostering the revitalisation and modernisation of the small retail sector