Webinar: April 16 2026 – 10.30-12.00 CET

This online event is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of how the digital and green transitions are reshaping the retail sector across Europe. Bringing together insights from OECD, Politecnico di Milano, EuroCommerce and DG GROW, the session will equip participants with up-to-date knowledge on global trends, practical tools and EU policy developments.

The objective is to strengthen the capacity to effectively guide retail SMEs in moving from trends to concrete actions, enabling them to better support businesses in becoming more competitive, innovative and sustainable within the evolving retail ecosystem.

The webinar, delivered in English, will present key trends affecting the retail sector, highlight practical examples of digital innovation, and provide insights into EU policies and initiatives supporting SMEs. It will also offer an opportunity to exchange with experts and peers, helping participants translate strategic insights into concrete services.

It will last 1.5 hours and will include presentations, real-case insights and an interactive discussion session.

Agenda (Online| 16 April 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00 CET)

10:30 – 10:40 | Welcome and Setting the Scene

Moderators: Valeria Vangelista and Susy Longoni – EEN SG Retail chairs

Speaker: Joanna Zawistowska – Policy Officer DG GROW

  • Why retail matters for Europe’s SME ecosystem

10:40 – 11:10 | Global Trends, Local Impact: What’s Next for Retail?

Speakers: Marco Bianchini – Economist and Coordinator of the D4SME Global Initiative (OECD), Jose Montegu – Policy Analyst (OECD)

  • Insights from Local Retail, Global Trends
  • How digital and green transitions are reshaping retail
  • What this means for SMEs across European cities

11:10 – 11:30 | Retail Digitalisation in Practice: Trends and Insights from Italy and Europe

Speakers: Elisabetta Puglielli – Director of the Digital Innovation in Retail Observatory, Politecnico di Milano, Marco Rovea – Researcher of the Digital Innovation in Retail Observatory, Politecnico di Milano

  • What are the key areas of innovation in global retail?
  • Digital technologies making a difference: focusing on Italy as a case study
  • Concrete innovation projects from european retail companies

11:30 – 11:50 | Strengthening the Retail Ecosystem: The EuroCommerce Perspective

Speaker: Leena Whittaker – Director, Competitiveness (EuroCommerce)

  • How retail is represented at EU level
  • Supporting policy development for a competitive sector
  • Initiatives helping SMEs navigate the twin transition

11:50 – 12:00 | Open Discussion and Key Takeaways

  • Interactive exchange with Retail stakeholders: how to better support SMEs in retail
  • Wrap-up and closing

Please register here below to receive the link to the online event.