Retail services

Retail and wholesale services are highly important to the EU economy. They act as intermediaries between thousands of product suppliers and millions of consumers. E-commerce has increased the potential market for retailers and the scope of products available to consumers. The European Commission aims to ensure that EU wholesalers, retailers and consumers enjoy an integrated retail market, which is also competitive and innovative.

Latest

Territorial supply constraints in the EU
In November 2020 we published the results of a study on territorial supply constraints (TSCs) in EU retail. The conclusions of the December 2020 workshop we held on possible ways forward are available.

Revitalising retail guide and workshops
The 'Revitalising retail guide' can inspire initiatives to support SME retailers. You can also read more about the Revitalising Retail 2020 workshops, their conclusions and some stakeholder views.

Best practices for retail establishment and operations

The retail sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation due to the rapid development of e-commerce. However, in many EU countries the regulatory framework was put in place decades ago and has not been adapted to the digital age. In the 2015 Single Market Strategy the Commission announced it would look at restrictions in the retail sector and identify best practices for facilitating retail establishment and reducing operational restrictions. With this set of best practices, adopted on 19 April 2018, the EU provides guidance for EU countries’ efforts to create a more open, integrated and competitive retail market.

The Commission has also developed and published in the communication, the 'Retail Restrictiveness Indicator' (RRI) to provide a useful snapshot of the state of play in EU countries. The indicator is a dynamic monitoring tool to measure authorities' efforts to reduce retail restrictions in EU countries, and the impact of such reforms on market performance. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Competence Centre on Composite Indicators and Scoreboards (COIN) carried out a statistical assessment of the indicator's framework.

The Commission followed up the communication with a high-level conference, 'a European retail sector fit for the 21st century' on 19 June 2018, and organised 4 workshops in 2019 in Brussels, Madrid, Vienna and Bucharest to promote the 'Guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector' (see below).

Supporting information

A series of external analyses contracted by the Commission provided information on retail in EU countries.

The Commission has engaged in discussions with the stakeholders directly concerned, including retailers, retail associations, representatives of civil society and EU countries. In addition to the public consultation on retail regulations in a multi-channel environment that ran in 2017, the Commission organised workshops on retail establishment restrictions in July and December 2014 and on operational restrictions in July 2016 and May 2017. EU countries were also consulted through meetings of the Services Directive Expert Group.

Guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector

As the number of vacant shops is growing, keeping city centres vibrant is a legitimate concern for national, regional or local authorities. In it's 2018 'Guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector' the Commission identifies positive examples throughout the EU of strategies going beyond retail to attract people, and small and large retailers back to city centres. These can serve as inspiration to authorities pursuing their urban development objectives.

The publication of this guide is the result of a 2017 study that looked at developing solutions and producing a practical guide for local authorities.

Workshops on the guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector

To follow-up on the 2018 'Guide for revitalising and modernising the small retail sector’ and foster the exchange of best practices about the green and digital transformation of small retailers, the Commission organises Revitalise Retail workshops.

European retail action plan

The European retail action plan addresses the key obstacles to the smooth functioning of the EU retail sector. Adopted in January 2013, the plan identifies actions to realise the single market in retail, to enhance the sector's performance and to ensure it fully contributes to the Europe 2020 strategy.

For more information on the European retail action plan:

High Level Group on Retail Competitiveness

The Commission set up a High Level Group on Retail Competitiveness to advise it on retail policy. The summary reports of the meetings are available on the High Level Group's page. In July 2015, the group published its recommendations.

Report of the High Level Group on Retail Competitiveness (2 MB)

Additional information

Feasibility study on setting up a database containing EU and national food labelling rules

This 2014 study presents a detailed analysis on the overall feasibility of a database containing all EU and domestic food labelling rules. It analyses how the establishment of a database could help stakeholders and lists the opportunities, costs and benefits that its creation may provide.

Brexit transition period

Stakeholder guidance on EU rules in relation to online purchase with subsequent parcel delivery