The 12th Retail Innovation Summit

Overview

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.

Keynote Speaker

Michael McGrath

Commissioner for Democracy, Justice,
the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

European Commission

Key Themes

Designing the future of consumer policy

Digital transformation and innovative retail

Enhancing product safety

The sustainability agenda

Agenda

Registration and Networking Coffee

10:45 - 11:20

Opening Remarks

11:20 - 11:30

Keynote Speech

11:30 - 11:50

Panel 1: Digital Fairness and Enforcement – Building a Level Playing Field

11:50 - 13:00

For several years, the European Commission has been working on analysing its consumer rules and their fitness for the digital age. 2025 will prove to be pivotal in this regard, with the expected Digital Fairness Act proposals due, and the implementation of existing rules taking centre stage. With fair competition and consumer protection high on the new Commission’s agenda, this session will explore the challenges and opportunities in creating a level playing field in Europe, the enforcement of regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). The session will address the role of the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation in fostering trust and cooperation among stakeholders, and reflect on the need to protect consumers and foster innovation.

Networking Lunch

13:00 - 14:00

Panel 2: Sustainability in Retail – Toward a Competitive Circular Single Market

14:00 - 15:15

The EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy initiatives have placed sustainability at the forefront of policy discussions. This session will explore how the retail sector can contribute to these ambitious goals by adopting sustainable practices, reducing waste, and driving innovation in circular economy models. Discussions will include the potential of ecodesign regulations to reshape the market, the challenges of creating a single market for waste, and strategies for fostering consumer and business cooperation in the green transition. Panellists will share insights on balancing environmental sustainability and maintaining a competitive retail sector, ensuring that businesses can thrive while meeting sustainability standards.

Panel 3: Enhancing Product Safety – GPSR Implementation and Enforcement

15:15 - 16:15

In an increasingly complex global marketplace, product safety has become a critical challenge for regulators, businesses, and consumers. This session will explore the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), its enforcement and implementation, and how stakeholders can support efforts to create a more transparent, accountable, and consumer-protection orientated retail ecosystem. The session will explore cross-border enforcement strategies, digital tools for traceability and risk management and other tools to drive product safety on the EU market.