Ahead of today's Brexit vote, in which UK citizens will decide to leave or remain in the EU, EuroCommerce, which represents retailers and wholesalers across Europe, has called on the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council to 'push for a new approach to making Europe work for its citizens to restore confidence in Europe and create growth and jobs'.
While not referencing the Brexit vote directly, EuroCommerce claimed in its statement, 'The Single Market, both digital and offline, is Europe’s best hope of creating such growth, yet national self-interest and insufficient enforcement of EU rules, and discriminatory measures in some member states aimed at foreign companies are holding back the EU from exploiting its full potential.'
It added that 'disruption and delay' in the pan-European supply chain, 'costs money and threatens jobs. Europe needs to be open, both internally and to the outside world, for the free flow of goods and investment.'
Last month, the British Retail Consortium, which is a member of EuroCommerce, said that while it is 'neutral' on the matter of whether the UK should remain or exit the EU, it called on both sides of the debate to focus on issues that it believes will impact the trade: the ease and cost of moving products across borders, the regulatory framework for retailer operations, and the viability of local food supply chains.
“The BRC will not be advocating for one side of the campaign or the other, but instead press both campaigns to make it clear what their policies would be remaining in, or leaving, the EU, so that people can make an informed choice at the referendum," said the group's chief executive, Helen Dickinson.
Retailers have largely remained silent on the matter, however, Asda's Andy Clarke recently stated that he believed that the UK was stronger in Europe.
"As the country faces one of the most important decisions in its history, I felt that it was right to make our position as a company clear: Britain should remain within the EU," he stated.
"Complexity and uncertainty are bad for business. I believe that a single market is less complex than negotiating new trade deals with Europe, and that leaving the EU would take Britain into the unknown at a delicate time for the global and domestic economy.
"I think that individuals should have the opportunity to hear as many views as possible, including the voice of businesses, in an open debate before reaching their own decision at the ballot box."
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
