MEP David Casa has been appointed rapporteur on an opinion that is to assess the European Commission’s Retail Action Plan and offer recommendations with respect to an implementation strategy for the European Parliament.
The Commission’s plan, which was adopted on 31 January 2013, instructs several EU bodies, including the European Parliament, to further the integration of the retail sector into the Single European Market.
The plan identifies five objectives regarding the creation of “more competitive and sustainable retail services” and 11 concrete actions that can be taken. Improving the retail sector is important since it accounts for 11% of the EU GDP, 15% of employment and a large number of small and medium sized businesses.
Casa will draw upon his experience as rapporteur on an opinion assessing the Services Directive, an important piece of European legislation that is mentioned frequently in the Commission’s plan. The Casa Opinion on the Services Directive was recently adopted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
Casa remarked, “As the European Union shifts its economic focus towards structural reform, it has become all the more important to utilise the full potential of the retail sector. Reducing inefficiencies and streamlining the flow of information will exploit fundamental economic principles to improve growth. The nature of the retail sector is such that improvements here will be highly visible, and have a very direct and obvious effect on the average citizen’s quality of life. We have a unique opportunity to boost confidence in the European economy.”
The Commission’s communication outlines several economic problems that need to be addressed. Retailers, especially small ones, spend an unnecessary amount of time researching applicable economic regulations and laws, which detracts from their productivity.
Consumers lack access to all the information they need to make informed decisions, and barriers to competition in retail supply chains raise prices and increase inefficiencies.
As the European Union works with member states and retailers themselves to streamline the process on all levels, David Casa’s Opinion will further the debate and offer recommendations to the European Parliament on the subject.
Casa will be responsible to draw up the position of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and he will work in close cooperation with the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection to develop the European Parliament’s position on this dossier.