As the EU enters a new phase of regulatory and economic stewardship under the 2024–2029 von der Leyen Commission, the 12th European Retail Innovation Summit 2025 serves as a premier forum for debating the future of one of the major engines of European economic growth. Against the backdrop of a drive for greater competitiveness, this high-level event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, consumer advocates, and NGOs to explore the critical themes shaping the retail and e-commerce sectors.
The Summit will dive into key priorities such as evolving consumer rules and digital fairness, strengthening enforcement mechanisms to support a thriving and competitive single market, and advancing the sustainability agenda. Participants will gain insights into how innovative policies and practices can drive sustainable growth, protect consumers, and enable businesses to flourish in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The European retail and e-commerce landscape is undergoing a significant transformation driven by new digital and sustainability regulations. Ensuring a level playing field is essential to foster fair competition, protect consumers, and enable businesses of all sizes to thrive. This session will delve into the complexities of achieving this level playing field, focusing on the enforcement of key regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation, and the implementation and enforcement of the General Product Safety Regulation.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is transforming the retail sector. From personalised shopping experiences to supply chain optimisation, AI offers both opportunities and challenges for businesses and regulators alike. This session will examine how AI and other digital tools can be leveraged to drive innovation and economic growth in the retail sector.
For several years, the European Commission has been reviewing its consumer protection framework to ensure it remains fit for the digital age. With the Digital Fairness Act proposals expected in 2025, the focus is shifting to tackling emerging potential consumer risks, including dark patterns, addictive design, influencer marketing, digital subscriptions, and personalisation. As digital retail evolves, safeguarding consumers and ensuring transparency in online interactions will be critical to maintaining trust. This session will explore how fair digital practices can foster consumer confidence and contribute to a competitive and sustainable digital economy.
As retailers face economic pressures and growing regulatory demands, the necessity to ensure that consumers continue to have the information and guidance to make sustainable choices is vital. How does the green agenda and the retail sector's responsibilities in this regard, interact with the broad competitiveness agenda? This session will examine the policy levers and market incentives needed to advance the discussion around how EU sustainability goals intersect with the realities of retail operations, exploring how smart regulation can reduce burdens while accelerating progress towards a more sustainable and competitive single market.
Melanie Thomas
Event Manager
Le Louise Hotel Brussels
Av. de la Toison d’Or 40
1050 Brussels, Belgium
This event will take place in person only on 10 April 2025, with places free of charge.
Registration is now open, click the button below and fill in your details.
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