On 14 January 2026 (10:00–13:00 CET), the OECD and the European Commission will host a high-level in-person event at Tour Madou in Brussels to launch the final report of their joint project on The Twin Transition and the Future of Retail SMEs in Urban and Rural Areas. The publication presents new evidence and insights into how small and medium-sized retailers across the EU are responding to the digital and green transitions, and offers policy recommendations to support their competitiveness, workforce development and spatial resilience. The report also feeds into European Commission policy supporting the revitalisation of small retail in urban and rural areas, including the European Capitals of Small Retail initiative.

The event will bring together policymakers, business leaders, experts and stakeholders to explore how retail SMEs are adapting to structural shifts such as the growth of e-commerce, rising environmental standards and changing consumer behaviours. Discussions will address key challenges including workforce upskilling, access to digital tools, sustainable urban retail, and the need for coherent policy frameworks at local, national and EU levels.

The event will also mark the launch of the second phase of the project, which aims to support EU priorities for a more integrated, innovative and competitive retail ecosystem. Building on the findings presented in the report, this new phase will deepen analysis of the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), on SME performance and business models. It will also involve detailed country-level and urban case study analyses, complemented by the development of a Policy Toolkit offering actionable recommendations to support retail SME transformations across diverse EU contexts.

For registration details and future updates see here.