Independent Retail Europe

MEP @DirkGotink highlighted the growing influx of non-compliant products into Europe and the resulting strain on fair competition. He stressed the need for stronger and more effective domestic enforcement. #IREConference2026 #CustomsUnion

What are the main trends in the retail ecosystem? How do independent retailers navigate the current transition? Lucia Cusmano, from @OECD shares insights of the recent report: share.google/Enq0GiTxCEQXjm…

Nadia Quevedo Muñoz, Commissioner for the economic promotion, commerce and hospitality of Barcelona spoke about the importance of retail for the city's social fabric, economic vitality and cohesion. #IREConference2026

Start of #IREConference2026 in this year's Capital of Small Retail, #Barcelona by our Director General, Else Groen.

💶 EU cash acceptance rules must stay balanced & workable for retailers. Mandatory cash use can’t fit all cases. Unmanned setups, safety risks & high costs need exemptions. Co-legislators must keep rules pragmatic, protecting both consumers & merchants. tinyurl.com/mvmw6ea6

🇨🇾 We welcome the @CY2026EU Presidency of the Council of the EU. ➡️We support its focus on simplification and completing the #SingleMarket, including tackling territorial supply constraints to boost competitiveness, innovation & consumer choice. #EUPresidency #EU2026

Great interview with our President Tobias Wasmuht, CEO of SPAR International, in European Supermarket Magazine. Independent retailers are a cornerstone of Europe’s economy & communities and their collective voice at EU level matters more than ever. ⬇️ shorturl.at/l78GJ

The agreement provides protection against the shifting of reporting & due diligence responsibilities on companies with <1.000 employees, offering SMEs legal certainty. It sends a positive signal: Simplification & SME-friendliness can go🤝 with EU’s sustainability objectives.(2/2)

@Europarl_EN vote in the endorsing the #Omnibus I agreement is an important step simplifying EU sustainability due diligence & reporting requirements under the #CSRD & the #CSDDD. We welcome the significant reduction in the scope of companies affected. (1/2)

Large FMCG giants hold the strongest power in 🇪🇺 food chain. 🔒Territorial supply constraints, delivery stops & price segmentation keep markets fragmented and prices high. 🤝#Retailalliances rebalance this power by negotiating with global FMCG brands not SMEs or farmers.

Great news for retailers & consumers!🎉 Last week, EU negotiators agreed on #PSD3 & #PSR, including transparency on card scheme fees. This means: 💳 Clearer info for merchants. 💶 Fairer rules on surcharging & refunds. ✔️ A more competitive, consumer-friendly payments ecosystem.

In #retail, MITs include subscriptions, pre-payments (e.g. fresh produce sold per kilo) & delayed payments. A blanket refund right would let consumers claim refunds for goods already consumed, leaving merchants unable to contest. (2/2) Find more 👉 lnkd.in/exrfPM5f

Independent Retail Europe joins a broad coalition urging EU lawmakers to ensure balance in the #PaymentServicesRegulation. An unconditional refund right for merchant-initiated transactions (MITs) would harm small retailers & undermine trust in payments. (1/2)

Food loss & waste leads to significant economic losses, impacting companies and consumers. By reducing food waste, we can improve food security, lower GHG emissions and save money & resources that would otherwise have gone to waste. #FoodWasteEU #IDAFLW europa.eu/!Xf3pXR

As part of the Merchant Payment Coalition Europe, we call for a #digitaleuro that truly works for merchants and consumers. Find our key priorities in our Press Release 👉 lnkd.in/ecmGV6zv Find more in the full joint statement 👉 lnkd.in/e4UESurJ

Millions rely on vouchers & gift cards for gifting, budgeting & inclusion. With 8 associations, we urge EU co-legislators: ✅ Confirm selling/distributing/redeeming ≠ payment service ✅ Add “redemption” in Art.20(4) ✅ Drop “distributor” label ➡️ shorturl.at/xJYGb

The #SOTEU2025 reaffirmed Europe’s ambition: less red tape, a stronger Single Market, a digital euro & fairer food prices. Independent retailers welcome this, but delivery is key: promises must reach the shop floor & consumers’ tables. #Retail #Competitiveness

We’re thrilled to welcome @Leclerc to Independent Retail Europe! With 850+ stores across 6 countries, a presence in both food & non-food sectors and a strong track record in sustainability, E.Leclerc strengthens our voice. Welcome Marie de Lamberterie to our Board!

Is your city helping small shops thrive? Apply for the #EUCapitalsofSmallRetail Awards and showcase your leadership in sustainability, digitalisation, and urban vitality. Applications open until 9 Oct 2025. ➡️europa.eu/!XqJypN #RevitaliseRetail

💶 #TSCs cost consumers billions. Retailers on tight margins are forced to pay inflated prices for must-have goods. We call for urgent action to: ✅Ban unilateral TSCs ✅Harmonise labelling ✅Stop national fragmentation ✅Enforce competition rules (2/2)

🗣️ At today’s @EP_SingleMarket hearing on #inflation, our Director Alexis Waravka highlighted a key driver: Territorial Supply Constraints. 🔎 TSCs let big brands prevent retailers from sourcing across the #EU, inflating prices & undermining the #SingleMarket. (1/2)