Retail
Retail is the largest industrial ecosystem, accounting for 11.5% of EU value added. It is also the largest private employer in the EU economy, employing nearly 30 million people. The ecosystem comprises 5.5 million companies, with 99% of them being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With a gross value added of over €1.4 billion, the retail ecosystem generates the highest value among all industrial ecosystems. The retail ecosystem encompasses various sectors, including grocery and non-grocery retail, wholesale, and online platforms.
According to Sescom the European retail sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% between 2025 and 2028. This growth will be driven by declining inflation and increasing interest in e-commerce. According to the European Retail Review, the food market will be the fastest-growing retail sector, with a market share of 51%.
EU households spend up to one-third of their budgets in retail shops. The sector is changing rapidly with the development of e-commerce and multi-channel retailing and has the potential to perform better. Fewer restrictions in retail mean higher productivity in manufacturing. A more efficient retail sector can offer consumers lower prices which creates more demand and steers producers towards more innovative goods. This is why the Commission is helping Member States and operators to overcome the current challenges by addressing an accumulation of restrictions in the retail sector.