EU-Japan trade agreement a further sign of Europe moving ahead with open markets
EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren commented on the signing of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement today:
“This is a good day for free trade. The formal signing today of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, the largest trade bilateral trade agreement the EU has completed so far, sends an important message to those leaders who want to throw away all that a rules-based world trading system has achieved. It means the removal of a large number of tariffs affecting trade between us – this is great news for consumers and businesses in both markets. The conclusion also today of a data transfer agreement with Japan will make e-commerce easier, while guaranteeing protection of personal data.”
European B2C ecommerce still growing fast, with national markets moving at different speeds
Online retail has continued its double-digit growth, with European ecommerce turnover increasing by 11% to €534 billion in 2017 and forecasted to grow by 13% to €602 billion in 2018. In 2013, it was no more than €307 billion. This is one of the many findings of the European B2C Ecommerce Report 2018, that will be jointly launched today by Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce. The report sets out the main ecommerce [1]trends, facts and figures, and offers insights for each of the European ecommerce markets.
Plastics at a tipping point – what’s the role for retailers?
Read moreTackling plastic pollution is moving up the EU agenda as European citizens express concern at the impact of plastics on their health and the environment. Many initiatives already look for circular solutions engaging every stakeholder. This implies shared responsibilities and commitment among all actors in the supply chain, including manufacturers, packaging industry, retailers and also consumers. Retailers are aware of their key role in addressing consumers’ concerns on the environmental impact of these products.
UTPs: Consumers should not pay to line multinationals’ pockets
Read moreCommenting today on the draft European Parliament report on so-called Unfair Trading Practices in the food supply chain, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:
“Retailers and wholesalers around Europe are shaking their heads at what the draft European Parliament report is demanding as changes to the Commission proposal. The Directive is meant to help farmers earn more, yet the latest changes risk offering highly profitable and very strong multinational corporations the ability to wring even more profits out of the European consumer, with no guarantee that these end up anywhere except their shareholders’ pockets.”
"The Narratives"
EuroCommerce Narrative on Retail and Wholesale in a changing world…
The world is changing rapidly. Retailers and wholesalers have repeatedly shown how resilient and adaptive they are, and are moving ahead with embracing this change, providing value to customers, suppliers, and society at large. This great story is worth telling – both to the sector and to the wider world. And the story needs to say clearly what we want from the EU and from national governments to make our sector sustainably competitive.
EuroCommerce elects Régis Degelcke as its new President
Read moreEuroCommerce is delighted to announce the election of Régis Degelcke as its new President at the EuroCommerce General Assembly today. Mr Degelcke will take up his three-year mandate from July 2018.
Retailers and wholesalers warn against return to protectionist thinking of the 1930s
Read moreEuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren warned of major consequences for global supply chains resulting from US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the EU, Mexico and Canada:
“The global trading system which the US was instrumental in building up over the last 70 years has created economic well-being throughout the world. Free trade has lifted millions from poverty in developing countries and enhanced the quality of life of everyone, not least in the US, whose companies have also built up a major multinational presence on the back of it. Attacking close allies with open market economies in the name of national security is not just unwarranted, but the protection it seeks to give these industries will ultimately harm their competitiveness – and backfire on all economies, not least the US. Protectionism simply does not work, and just makes everyone poorer.”