Eurocommerce


EuroCommerce represents national federations and companies in the retail, wholesale and international trade sector from 31 European countries. The sector comprises some 5.5 million companies, 99% of which are small or medium-sized enterprises. The sector plays a unique role in the European economy as a link between producers and 500 million consumers across Europe.
EuroCommerce seeks to inform decision-makers and the wider public of the significance of the retail and wholesale sector, which interacts with 100 million customers every day, and offers 29 million European, particularly young people starting their careers a wide range of rewarding jobs and skills: 1 in 7 jobs in Europe are in retail or wholesale, and 1 in 5 young people employed are in retail or wholesale.
The retail and wholesale sector faces a constantly changing market, with consumers looking for new products and new ways of shopping, digital technology opening up new possibilities to compare prices and products across borders and many new ways of paying for them. The sector is also active in adopting sustainable environmental policies to reduce the carbon footprint and waste in the retail and wholesale.
EuroCommerce looks to raise the profile of retail and wholesale in European policymaking, and help shape the regulatory agenda to ensure that its members can continue to offer the best products at the most competitive prices.
EuroCommerce is the official European social partner for the retail and wholesale sector, and plays an active role in European social dialogue.

History

EuroCommerce was founded in 1993, as a result of merging three pre-existing large retail chains, small retail operators and wholesalers and traders. It brings together European and national associations representing various aspects of retail and wholesale and international trade to form a single voice for the sector in Brussels. Its first President and driving force behind the creation of EuroCommerce, was Dr Albert Heijn, the chairman of the major Dutch retailer Ahold.

Policy areas

EuroCommerce brings together the expertise of its members and secretariat to help inform and contribute to debate in a range of policies, including competitiveness and the economy, the digital economy, single market, global trade, environment and sustainability, social policy and industrial relations, food and non-food, enterprise and SMEs.

List of Presidents

PresidentsMandates
Régis Degelcke 2018-2021
Kenneth Bengtsson 2015–2018
Carl Hugo Erbslöh 2014–2015
Lucy Neville-Rolfe 2012–2014
Reinhardt Von Leoprechting 2009–2012
Feargal Quinn 2006–2009
Peter Bernert 2003–2006
Paul-Louis Halley 2000–2003
Igino Sogaro 1997–2000
Jacques Dopchie 1994–1997
Albert Heijn 1993–1994

Members

National associations

CountryNational associations
AustriaWirtschaftskammer Österreich
BelgiumComeos
CyprusCyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Czech RepublicSvaz obchodu a cestovního ruchu ČR
DenmarkDansk Erhverv
EstoniaEesti Kaupmeeste Liit
FinlandKauppa
FranceFedération des Entreprises du Commerce et de la Distribution
La Conféderation Française du Commerce Interentreprises
Conseil du Commerce de France
GermanyBundesverband Großhandel, Außenhandel, Dienstleistungen
Handelsverband Deutschland
GreeceHellenic Confederation of Commerce & Entrepreneurship
HungaryOrszágos Kereskedelmi Szövetség
Vállalkozók és Munkáltatók Országos Szövetsége
IcelandSamtök verslunar og þjónustu
IrelandRetail Ireland
ItalyConfcommercio
Federdistribuzione
LatviaLatvijas Pārtikas Tirgotāju Asociācija
LuxembourgCommerce transport services
MaltaMalta Chamber of SMEs
NetherlandsRaad Nederlandse Detailhandel
MKB-Nederland
NorwayVirke Hovedorganisasjonen
PolandPolska Organizacja Handlu i Dystrybucji
PortugalAssociação Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuição
Confederação do Comércío e Serviços Portugal
RomaniaAsociaţia Marilor Reţele Comerciale din România
SlovakiaSlovenská aliancia moderného obchodu
Zväz obchodu a cestovného ruchu SR
SloveniaTrgovinska zbornica Slovenije
SpainAsociación Nacional de Grandes Empresas de Distribución
Asociación Española de Distribuidores, Autoservicios y Supermercados
Confederación Española de Comercio
SwedenSvensk Handel
UKBritish Retail Consortium

Company members

CompanyCountry of origin
AholdNetherlands
AuchanFrance
CarrefourFrance
ColruytBelgium
Coop SchweizSwitzerland
DecathlonFrance
DelhaizeBelgium
EdenredBelgium
El Corte InglesSpain
HerbalifeUK
IKEASweden
InditexSpain
Jeronimo MartinsPortugal
Kappé InternationalNetherlands
KauflandGermany
KeringItaly
LidlGermany
Marks & SpencerUK
MercadonaSpain
MetroGermany
Migros TTurkey
Rewe groupGermany
SonaePortugal
SparAustria
TescoUK
VorwerkGermany