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All the food on this table are products of the farm.

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Most of the products for consumption are transformed, packaged, distributed and then sold by merchants.

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Trade is often a necessary series of intermediate commercial transactions.

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A range of commercial businesses offer goods and services of all kinds and of all qualities to all consumers in Europe, regardless of their habits of consumption.

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There are small shops in the corner of the streets, markets in the squares, supermarkets and hypermarkets, shopping malls.

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But there is also the sale by correspondence, the tele-purchase, the home trade and, recently, the sale on the Internet.

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All the actors of trade are confronted with a competition that is intensifying, with the emergence of the digital economy, with the acceleration of structural changes.

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Whatever their size, their shape or their location, they must adapt to the changes to remain competitive.

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Grouping, sharing of resources, network creation can be exploited, especially by small merchants, which are an important part of the market.

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The maintenance of the diversity of trade, meeting all the needs of consumers, depends first of all on the sector itself.

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In any case, it goes through an adaptation to new technologies and a constant effort of training.

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The trade is the link between the producers and the consumers.

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The market trends are interpreted by the retailers or the producers.

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It is often the retailers who decide on the type and quality of what is produced, according to their experience of demand from the consumer.

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In some cases, the producer is directly linked to the merchant by electronic means.

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While respecting the regulations of the European Union and its member countries, and the preferences of the consumer, whatever they are, financial, environmental, ethical, social or other,

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the trade processes make available to European citizens a very wide variety of products and services.

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Trade is an essential sector of economic activity.

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In Europe, it represents 22 million jobs, which is 16% of employment.

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It is represented by 5 million independents, and sales generate 640 billion euros.

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It is the second most important sector of the economy.

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Trade is a dynamic and competitive sector.

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The arrival of electronic exchanges will accelerate its evolution by presenting new challenges.

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It is a moving sector.

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It contributes to the animation and vitality of cities and villages, while facilitating the well-being of citizens.

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Today, an important part of regulation, having an impact on trade, is established at the level of the European Union.

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The European Commission makes proposals to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, which debates them, modifies them if necessary, and then adopts them.

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The European Union, in the field of the competences given to it by the Treaty, has developed policies and established regulations in a number of areas, affecting the trade sector.

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The European Unique Market.

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Merchandise circulates freely in Europe.

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Trade is a dynamic and competitive sector.

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It is the second most important sector of economic activity.

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The European Unique Market.

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Merchandise circulates freely in Europe.

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Environment.

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Packaging reduction, waste recycling, water and clean air insurance.

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Social policy affecting working conditions.

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Support for small and medium-sized businesses.

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Research.

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International trade, through an opening to products from all continents.

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The Unique Currency, through precise information on the new euro prices, operational from 1 January 2002 in 11 member countries.

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Regional policy, which supports the maintenance of the vitality of urban centres and the quality of rural life.

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And finally, the protection of the legitimate interests of consumers.

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A protection of health or safety, through the provision of clear and honest information on products.

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But also, a protection of the economic interests of consumers, in case of defective products or services.

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Rules of responsibility, including legal responsibility related to e-commerce on the Internet.

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Member States have the task of carrying out this legislation of the European Union, while ensuring that their national regulations are not in conflict with this one.

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And my duty as a member of this enterprise is to act on behalf of it, so that a profitable enterprise would be within the scope of the city, would be possible, and that it could succeed.

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This would mean that jobs would be preserved and developed also in the commercial sector, and at the same time would mean that we would have a wide range of opportunities for employers to choose and get employees.

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E-commerce is here to meet our needs. It is part of our daily life in our cities and villages.

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The European Union contributes through its policies to the growth and economic dynamism of e-commerce.

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The quality of life of European citizens is at stake.

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For more information, visit www.eu.uk