Programme

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

Explanation of the format of the day

Speaker: European Commission

‘‘RETAIL RECOVERY AND (RE)BIRTH’: HOW CAN THE RETAIL COMMUNICATION HELP AND WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND THE SERVICES DIRECTIVE.

Moderator: European Commission

Speakers: Representatives of two Member States

In conversation:

• What has been learned about the retail sector as a result of the crisis?
• What could support the recovery of the retail sector in the short-term and long term?
• What are the steps to be taken to open a shop? A comparison of the process between two Member States
• How can the best practices from the Communication (COM (2018)219) ‘A European retail sector fit for the 21st Century’ help retail recover?
• What needs to be known about how the Services Directive (2006/123/EC) applies at the local level?

COFFEE BREAK

GROUP DISCUSSION – IN BREAKOUT GROUPS

Participants will discuss in virtual groups one of the following questions and prepare a question for the speakers.

• 1. What lessons have been learned about the retail sector as a result of the crisis?
• 2. Where could Member States focus their efforts to help the retail sector recover from the crisis in the short term and the long term?
• 3. What differences are there between how retail is regulated in the two Member States? What are the possible advantages/disadvantages of each system?
• 4. What could using the best practices in the Retail Communication mean in my local area? How will complying with the principles in the Services Directive benefit my local area? Why?
• 5. What information do people need to apply the principles of the Services Directive and Retail Communication at local level?

FEEDBACK ON BREAK-OUT SESSIONS AND DISCUSSION

The spokesperson from each group will share their reflections on the questions they are allocated and present the question for the speakers.

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS

All speakers

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Speaker: European Commission

INTRODUCTION TO DAY 2

Explanation of the format of the day

Speaker: European Commission

‘FACING THE FUTURE’: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THE REVITALISATION AND MODERNISATION OF THE SMALL RETAIL SECTOR

What is a holistic approach to city centre revitalisation and how to use the ‘Facing the Future’ guide, which offers practical tips on how to revitalise and modernise small retailers.

Speaker: European Commission

AN EXAMPLE OF A BEST PRACTICE AND ITS ADAPTATION TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS

• The competent authority’s perspective
  Speaker: Representative from the public sector
• The retailer’s perspective
  Speaker: Retailer representative

GROUP DISCUSSION

Participants will discuss in virtual groups one of the following questions and prepare a question for the speakers.

• 1. What challenges did the presented initiative face as a result of the COVID-19 measures?
• 2. How has the initiative adapted to COVID-19 measures and helped recovery?
• 3. What are the strengths of this initiative or repurposing of an initiative, which are likely to make it successful?
• 4. What is the next step for the initiatives? Or what could be the next step?

FEEDBACK FROM THE GROUPS

The spokesperson from each group will share their reflections on the questions they are allocated and present the question for the speakers.

COFFEE BREAK

GROUP DISCUSSION

Participants will discuss in virtual groups one of the following questions

• 1. Do you think the initiative could work in your area? If not, why not?
• 2. What advice can you offer the speakers from your own experience?
• 3. What are the key things that you will take away from the discussion, which you will try to put into practice in your own setting?

FEEDBACK FROM THE GROUPS

The spokesperson from each group will share their reflections on the questions they are allocated.

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS

All speakers

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Speaker: European Commission