9. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift regulatory, administrative and practical obstacles hampering the start-up of businesses, development and continuity and making it difficult for retailers to fully benefit from the internal market; considers that retail market legislation should be evidence-based, taking into account the needs of the sector, and should be based in particular on an examination and understanding of its impact on small businesses;

9. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift regulatory, administrative and practical obstacles hampering the start-up of businesses, development and continuity and making it difficult for retailers to fully benefit from the internal market; considers that retail market legislation should be evidence-based, taking into account the needs of the sector, and should be based in particular on an examination and understanding of its impact on small businesses;

15. Notes that undeclared work represents an important issue in the retail sector, entailing high social risks and low income for workers, who are excluded from health coverage and social benefits, adversely affecting the economies of the Member States and the financial viability of the European social model, and undermining the funding and distribution of social benefits and public services; observes with concern the understaffing of employment authorities in many Member States; calls for a proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation and increased labour inspections, where needed; welcomes the Commission’s initiat ...[+++]ive to engage in dialogue with stakeholders in the retail sector, under the European Platform to fight undeclared work, to assess the impact of the informal economy on working conditions and to identify an EU approach to combat it; considers that it would be desirable for employers’ associations to expel employers who use undeclared employees;

In view of the economic importance of this sector, the Commission is preparing a European Retail Action Plan to set an EU strategy for the retail sector for the coming years.

50. Asks the Commission to prepare, in consultation with the retail sector, a comprehensive European Action Plan for Retail in order to set out a strategy, building on achievements and addressing outstanding issues, with sector-specific recommendations; welcomes the fact that Parliament has supported this initiative in its resolution on a single market for enterprises and growth;

The Commission is urged to look at competition in the agro-industrial sector: yes, please, and look at it too in the retail sector but then stop looking and do something about it!