Event title: "Independent retail: A cornerstone of vibrant local communities in Europe"

Date: Wednesday 5 February 2025

Time: 18:00 – 21:00 (mandatory group entrance at 17:15)

Location: European Parliament, Members' Salon, Brussels

Organiser: Independent Retail Europe in partnership with SME Connect

Hosting MEP (Member of the European Parliament): Jörgen WARBORN (EPP, Sweden)

Despite the fact that SMEs represent 99% of EU businesses, and are the backbone of the EU economy, EU policy makers rarely have an opportunity to engage directly with small business owners; at the same time, policy making at EU level is often far removed from small business owners’ daily business. To make this event stand out for MEPs, we invite the representatives of our groups of independent retailers and retail associations to bring together their SME retailers from across Europe with their local Members of the European Parliament, to together present and discuss the importance and advantages of the business model of groups of independent retailers and of independent SME retail. In a panel discussion, four of the retailers will talk about the benefits of our business model and of their retail businesses as well as their key challenges and how EU policymakers can support them in this new EU mandate. After the panel discussion, retailers and group representatives will have a rare opportunity to meet and discuss directly with their local MEPs over a drink and a bite.

Key topics:

Event agenda: see detailed programme here. The programme in a nutshell:

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Practical information:

Anmeldeformular

I ask Independent Retail Europe to reserve a room for me at the Martin's Brussels EU Hotel (Boulevard Charlemagne 80, 1000 Brussels) from Wednesday 5 February until Thursday 6 February for the price of 199 euro per room and per night for a single occupancy, VAT, city tax and breakfast included:

I already have an accreditation badge to enter the European Parliament that will still be valid on 5 February 2025:

Document type:

Photographs will be taken throughout the event. Independent Retail Europe will use those on its website, in social media or in publications.