EN
6.4.2022
Official Journal of the European Union
C 152/3
3.2.
While many are still talking about online and offline sales channels, the most successful businesses are seamlessly integrating the online and offline environment into omnichannels, thereby offering consumers one experience.
This is contributing to increased competition between the different business models and generating more choice and transparency for consumers, jobs and growth.
3.3.
One of the main challenges the retail sector is facing is the lack of an online level playing field with third-country traders.
Some of these issues are already addressed by different Commission initiatives.
There are regular reports in the media that non-EU products being sold online by third country traders are not compliant with EU rules or are even unsafe or dangerous.
This creates unfair competition for EU-based traders that comply with EU rules that require that the products sold to consumers be safe and that consumer rights be respected.
The problem is exacerbated by failing market surveillance and customs controls, topped by high compliance costs for law-abiding traders.
For consumers, it is difficult to resist the temptation of lower prices.
One study from 2020 suggests that almost 70 % of EU consumers that buy cross-border have purchased products sold from China — a figure that stood at about 15 % in 2014 (1).
3.4.
Retailers and wholesalers are innovating, adapting and experimenting in order to explore new products, services and business models so as to keep up with customer demand.
More than two out of three retailers had no online operations before COVID-19, and the pandemic has shown just how important omnichannels are for many companies’ survival, in particular — but not only — SME retailers and wholesalers.
3.5.
Digital innovation enhances the competitiveness of Europe globally.
One in two European customers already shop online, spending EUR 424 billion/year (2), but the online share of purchases varies considerably per type of product; only 15 % of customers currently buy across borders and only 7 % of SMEs sell outside their own country.
A solid and ambitious digital policy for the sector is needed in Europe to take advantage of these opportunities and ensure that all companies are included in the process, that their workers’ working conditions are improved and that consumers perceive a clear benefit from the retail digitalisation process across Europe, maintaining a high level of consumer protection across all sales channels.
4.
Green transition 4.1.
The COVID-19 crisis revealed increased consumer demand for sustainable products and ways of conducting business.
Retailers and wholesalers acted as a vital interface with end-consumers, playing a key role in anticipating and encouraging demand for more sustainable, recyclable and/or reusable products and packaging.
Retailers and wholesalers were active for many years in encouraging sustainable consumption and reducing CO2 emissions in their operations and supply chains.
But they faced challenges in driving this transition in a sector with high fixed costs and low margins.
4.2.
The retail sector contributes significantly to the collection and recycling of waste.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems are based on the volume of a given waste stream a company puts onto the market in which they are present.
This responsibility is not as clear when traders that are not physically established in the EU bring products onto the EU market or when consumers do this through direct import.
In these cases, product waste entering the waste stream is recycled or removed at the cost of European retailers.
This includes waste created by third-country operators, who pay nothing.
Increased cooperation is needed between WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) schemes and online sellers established outside the EU, as are steps to make these companies aware of their obligations under EPR schemes.
Consumer awareness about recycling processes and costs are also crucial to make more transparent the effects of buying online.
5.
Skills 5.1.
The EESC supports the joint statement of 8 April (3) advocating A European Pact for Commerce, issued by the social partners in the retail and wholesale sector: UNI-Europa and EuroCommerce.
This highlighted the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the viability of retailers and wholesalers and the resilience of their workforce.
The tradition of social partnership and the prevalence of tailored working arrangements in the sector, often through collective agreements, enabled companies to deal effectively with the sudden and radical adaptation to the ‘new normal’.
The social partners proposed ‘A European Pact for Commerce’ for EU and governmental authorities to help the sector improve its long-term resilience through targeted support measures and by accelerating the digital and green transitions.
(1) (2) (3)
E-commerce in Europe 2020.
https://www.eurocommerce.eu/about-us/the-narratives.aspx 2020.04.08 — EuroCommerce_UniEuropa_statement.pdf