Beyond Manufacturing: A New Competitiveness Agenda for the EU in partnership with retail and wholesale

The EU faces four major challenges: economic security, climate change, technological gaps, and demographic shifts. To address these, a new strategy must empower retail and wholesale sectors, which generate 10% of EU GDP and employ 26 million people.

  • Economic Security:
    Strengthening the Single Market and diversifying supply chains are vital. Trade agreements and infrastructure investments will bolster resilience.
  • Sustainability & Innovation:
    Encouraging circular economy practices, renewable energy, and waste reduction is essential. Retail and wholesale can drive green and digital transformation.
  • Investment Challenges:
    Retailers face funding gaps due to administrative burdens and compliance costs. Simplifying access to capital and fostering SME growth are priorities.
  • Demographic & Regional Support:
    Retail provides jobs across urban and rural areas, supporting communities. Investments in local revitalization and workforce development are critical to counter shrinking populations.

The agenda calls for simplified regulations, harmonized enforcement, and technological innovation to transform these challenges into opportunities for a competitive and resilient Europe.
More information.

Better Regulation Checklist

The key principles for effective EU regulation:

  • Practicability: Anticipate real-world impacts and involve stakeholders early to ensure guidelines and tools are ready.
  • Workability: Simplify compliance and align requirements with practical realities for businesses and public authorities.
  • Capability: Set achievable targets by consulting affected industries and assessing consequences.
  • Indirect Effects: Address broader impacts on supply chains and stakeholders.
  • Competitiveness Check: Balance regulatory goals with market competitiveness and harmonization.
  • Flexibility: Focus on outcomes, not prescriptive methods, and maintain technological neutrality.
  • Inspection Focus: Target inspections upstream to reduce burdens downstream.
  • Avoid Duplication: Implement a “once-only” principle and simplify reporting tools.

These principles aim to ensure high-quality, low-cost, impactful legislation while reducing burdens on businesses. More information.