(02 October 2014) – The European Commission has unveiled the results of a comprehensive study about the evolution of choice and innovation in food products in Europe during the last decade.
The results show that the entry of new competitors always increases choice and innovation. In many Member States, retail markets are not overly concentrated, and the retailers’ bargaining power does not seem to have a negative impact on choice and innovation.
Finally, while choice for European citizens has continuously increased in shops since 2004, the number of innovations reaching the consumer each year has decreased since 2008 largely due to the economic crisis.
The Commission is inviting stakeholders to submit their comments on the study results.