Christian Verschueren

The Future of Commerce Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Retail Sector Christian Verschueren, Director General, EuroCommerce APED Congress, Lisbon, 18th January 2012

The changing environment of retail in the 21st Century • Shift in demographics

• Cross border expansion

• Price-conscious consumers

• Technology

• More sustainability & health-conscious purchasing

• Shift in supply chain

Multi-retail and Cross-channel – – – –

In-Store vs On-Line Generalist vs Specialist Large vs Small Central vs Peripheral Social media

Websites

• Greater choice • Instant consumer knowledge • Personalised experience

Evolution of Retail – Multi-channel retailing Classic

New Positioning through Social Media

Positioning

Confrontation

Cooperation Distribution / Customer contact

Advised Action

Direct

Direct

Indirect

Distribution / Customer contact

Integration of Social Media

Direct

Indirect Direct

Retailer

Manufacturer

Distribution / Customer contact

Manufacturer + Retailer

Direct

Consumer

Consumer

Source : “How social media gives a new position to manufacturers and retailers.”

Nora Alfuss, University of Köln, 2011

Consumer

An overview of EuroCommerce

Key European political priorities • Action Plan for the European retail sector • A competitive environment for European payment providers and fairer fees for end-users • Employment flexicurity • Environmental sustainability • Principles of good practice in the supply chain