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A European retail sector fit for the 21st century

On 19 June 2018 the European Commission held a high-level conference to discuss developments in the European retail sector and the opportunities and challenges that the sector is facing. The conference followed the adoption on 19 April of the Communication on a European retail sector fit for the 21st century.

Related topics

Single market and standards

date:  19/06/2018

venue:  Hotel La Plaza, Bd Adolphe Max 118 - 126, Brussels, Belgium

This high-level conference focused on best practices to facilitate retail establishment and reduce restrictions on retail operations. It also explored the modernisation and revitalisation of small retailers.

Stakeholders (including EU and national policy makers, representatives of the retail sector, civil society and academia) discussed:

  • The economics of the retail sector
  • Reforms and best practices in EU countries
  • The challenges facing the small retail sector, particularly digitalisation

(See the full programme).

A summary report of the discussions and the presentations made at the conference are available. 

Stakeholder position papers are also available and it is still possible to submit position papers on the topics discussed at the conference until 15 September 2018 by emailing them to: GROW-RETAIL@ec.europa.eu 

More information

Retail services