At the Retail Forum in Brussels celebrated on 9 October, European retailers highlighted that is needed to move to a resource efficient economy, and looking to the sustainability goals they had set themselves in key areas in precious years, such as selling more green products, they noted strong progress.

European retailers that met at the Retail Forum celebrated on 9 October in Brussels, and they agreed in the need to move to a resource efficient economy in spite of the challenging economic situation. Also, they noted strong progress in key areas in precious years, such as selling more green products looking to the sustainability goals they had set themselves. In April 2012 compared with March 2012, the volume of retail trade fell in the EU and in the euro area.

The participants in the Forum pledge to carry out specific environmental actions to contribute to sustainable consumption and resource efficiency. The number of environmental commitments has increased by 30% in one year to over 500, made in 3 categories (“what we sell”, “how we sell” and “communication”).

The Commitments made by Forum members increasingly focus on providing more sustainable products on retailers' shelves, such as sustainable seafood, textiles, organic and fair-trade products and certified wood and paper. Moreover, this year 19 Retail Forum members came forward with their own initiative on waste, they pledged to run campaigns raising awareness on waste and food waste prevention and reduction. This initiative will complement relevant EU policies on waste, as set out in the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe.