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High-level conference on the European retail sector

This event took stock of developments in the sector a year after the European Commission's communication, 'A European retail sector fit for the 21st century'.

Related topics

Single market and standards

date:  19/06/2019

venue:  Hotel La Plaza, Bd Adolphe Max / Adolphe Maxlaan 118, Brussels, Belgium

The conference focused on

  • innovative trends in retail
  • regulatory developments
  • current and future regulatory challenges 
  • the role of small retailers in the revitalisation of towns

The keynote speech was given by Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Opening remarks were made by Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. A welcome speech was delivered by Gabriela Mihaela Voicilă, Secretary of State, Ministry for Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Romania. Christian Verschueren, Director General of Eurocommerce, presented a perspective of the retail sector.

Participants consisted of EU and national policy makers, international organisations, representatives of the retail sector, civil society and academia. See the final agenda.

A summary report of the discussions, photos and the recording of the conference are available.  

Position papers sent by stakeholders as a follow-up to the conference are also available. 

More information