Retail sector (Communication)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - A European retail sector fit for the 21st century

Key points

The EESC:

• notes that the Commission's proposal focuses too much on "price" as the most interesting element for consumers, to the detriment of other key aspects such as information, product quality and personalisation, proximity, mobility, the circular economy and durability, value for money and service received before or after purchase;
• considers that the creation of an effective social dialogue mechanism that also involves small and micro enterprises would give businesses better development opportunities and workers a better system of safeguards, and
• calls on the authorities at all levels to engage in close cooperation with all the stakeholders with a view to drawing up a specific action plan on the future of European retail in the 21^st century.

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