Commerce

Commerce, both in wholesale and retail trades, acts as an essential bridge between goods producers and consumers worldwide, regardless of a country's development level or political system. This sector is markedly diverse, with significant differences between wholesale and retail activities and within retail categories like department, specialty, or discount stores, and between online and brick-and-mortar. Its structure varies globally, influenced by factors such as living standards, consumer habits, and legal frameworks. The sector is increasingly globalized and concentrated, with many commerce companies ranking high globally in sales and employment.

Recent trends include the impact of digitalization, revolutionizing the sector by introducing advanced retail technologies, e-commerce platforms, and online marketplaces, significantly altering consumer behaviour, business models, and employment dynamics. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has focused on the implications of globalization, just transition, digitalization, and the evolving needs of the workforce in this rapidly changing sector, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technical meeting on digitalization in the retail sector as an engine for economic recovery and decent work

The meeting discussed current and emerging issues in the context of digitalization and the future of work in the retail sector. Furthermore, it would focus on policies, strategies and good practices for ensuring that digitalization contributed to a human-centred sustainable development and a future of work with full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Conclusions - Technical meeting on digitalization in the retail sector as an engine for economic recovery and decent work