A report on Europe's retail sector has said that over-regulation poses a threat to jobs and growth.
The report by Swedish MEP, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, entitled A More Efficient and Fairer Retail Market, was adopted by the European Parliament earlier this week.
The MEP hopes her report will help to create jobs in Europe and also ensure retailers are recognised as growth drivers in the economy. It calls for barriers, borders and burdens to free movement of goods and services to be removed.
The report has been backed by the British Retail Consortium, which says it has placed the retail sector firmly on the map in Europe.
Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: "Mrs Corazza Bildt was clearly listening when we told her that over-regulation of the retail industry would affect jobs, growth and innovation in the sector.
"We are delighted she has taken these points on board and come forward with a very constructive report."
