Spain recognises EuroCommerce’s work in strengthening retail and wholesale

The Secretary of State for Trade, Amparo López Senovilla, today presented the 2024 Award for Merit in Commerce in the category of Domestic Trade, to EuroCommerce, at a ceremony at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business in Madrid.

The Award for Merit in Commerce distinguishes organisations, institutions or companies whose activities are linked to the development and improvement of the commerce sector. EuroCommerce, the European trade association for retail and wholesale, works to promote the competitiveness of the sector, the strengthening of the Single Market and to support the sector’s "triple transformation" – environmental, digital and skills.

"On behalf of EuroCommerce, I am grateful for the distinction granted to us by the Spanish Secretary of State for Trade. This award is a recognition of a sector that has been an example of resilience and efficiency in the management of the pandemic and the serious energy and inflationary crisis that we have experienced," said Juan Manuel Morales, President of EuroCommerce. He also added "being here today is an incentive to continue working in the unity of European wholesale and retail and to establish better and more effective channels of dialogue with the institutions in the face of future challenges".

The most immediate challenge facing retail and wholesale is to contribute to the regulatory simplification effort announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her “competitiveness compass”. Such a culture change is urgent to enable the sector serve consumers and navigate challenging circumstances”.

Christel Delberghe, Director General of EuroCommerce, said: "It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Spanish Government, whose support we count on to defend together a legislative framework that contributes to the transformation of the sector and allows us to face the geopolitical threats of the moment."

EuroCommerce is committed to tackling critical priorities, including reviewing payment terms, environmental legislation such as the deforestation and packaging regulation, and advancing the EU's "competitiveness compass" to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and its Single Market and ensure strategic autonomy. Its member associations in Spain, ASEDAS and La Distribución-ANGED, play a vital role in achieving these goals.

       
Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business announcement 
Video footage of the ceremony