Priority Paper
2022

Main priorities for the European Digital Commerce sector

The retail sector is undergoing major changes, most of which have been accelerated by the COVID-19 outbreak. In this period of pandemic, e-commerce has been crucial for the continuation of economic and societal activities in Europe.

The sector has proven resilient and helped many businesses accelerate, or even start, their digital transformation, leading to the development of seamless commerce (or omnichannel) solutions. It is expected that these developments, as well as the green transition, will continue to shape the future of retail also after the pandemic. At the same time, they have shown the importance of designing futureproof and channel-neutral policies, capable to adapt to companies’ realities and consumers’ expectations, in a retail ecosystem where new, innovative business models continue to make their appearance.

With this paper, Ecommerce Europe wants to bring to the attention of EU policymakers the key principles for a regulatory framework fit for the future of retail, and share its views on sustainability, the platform economy, the use of data and many more relevant topics. With the ultimate goal of creating a European framework fit for current and future challenges that will boost digital commerce in Europe, Ecommerce Europe’s vision about the future of retail is driven by a set of horizontally applicable key principles (please see next page) that policymakers should take into account.