Turn words into action, make the Single Market work for all!

The Competitiveness Council adopted its Single Market conclusions based on the High-Level Report on the Future of the Single Market by Enrico Letta. European retailers and wholesalers welcome the conclusions but call for words to be matched with strong action on the Single Market to stop their competitiveness from being held back by unjustified or disproportionate barriers, slow infringement proceedings and political interference.  

Christel Delberghe, Director General of EuroCommerce – the organisation representing European retailers and wholesalers – commented: “It is now for the EU institutions to show real commitment to further Single Market integration! In practice, there is no real appetite to enforce the Single Market in Europe. New EU rules often fragment the market by allowing national divergence and effective and efficient enforcement is lacking. International brand manufacturers or national legislation fragment the Single Market for sourcing for retailers and wholesalers. All this holds back the investment necessary for our sector’s digital, sustainability and skills transformation and undermines our competitiveness including vis-à-vis third-country operators.” 

Retailers and wholesalers have made several recommendations on priorities for the Single Market and identified three key proposals where action will make a real difference: 

1. Creating a level playing in Europe for retail and wholesale - improve cross-border enforcement coordination and collaboration to ensure third-country players are also scrutinised. 
2. Making a realistic plan to address and reduce the high regulatory burden and fragmentation in retail and wholesale, taking stock of the barriers that are arising in national legislation. 
3. Prohibiting territorial supply constraints by international brands - they lead to higher prices and less choice for consumers. 

A strong Single Market underpins the competitiveness of European retailers and wholesalers of all sizes and business models. Ensuring the words of the Letta report result in action, and taking today’s steer by the Council, should be the impetus for the EU institutions making the Single Market the real focus for the future. With such momentum, retailers and wholesalers have the chance to be stronger, more competitive and resilient, stresses EuroCommerce.