UK direct commerce trade body CatEx welcomes Consumer Rights Directive breakthrough

Monday, 13 June 2011

UK direct commerce trade body the Catalogue Exchange (CatEx) has welcomed the EU’s decision to abandon plans to force retailers to sell into all countries within the EU and offer free returns.

The trade association for small and medium sized direct commerce businesses has lobbied the EU on the proposed changes to the Consumer Rights Directive, warning of the devastating impact it could have on its 220 members.  In a campaign letter, CatEx called on the Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee to urgently reconsider the proposed amendments and take its views on board.  CatEx members also lobbied their own MEPs to express their concerns. The Council still needs to give the green light, but Parliament negotiators hope to receive final confirmation shortly.

CatEx had argued the changes would reduce consumer choice and lead to customer confusion and frustration.  It believed the amendments would hinder the development of cross-border trade and disproportionately affect smaller direct commerce businesses. This would then reduce choice for the consumer and, in the longer run, create upward pressure on prices.

Tim Curtis, CatEx deputy chairman and Managing Director, Northern Europe, of apparel cataloguer Lands’ End, says: "This is great news. A number of the proposed amendments would actually have reduced consumer choice and cross-border trade, and we are relieved that commercial realism appears to have prevailed. By joining forces on this issue, our campaign has also helped strengthen our relationship with the British Retail Consortium."

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For further information and interview opportunities, please contact:

Naomi Dymond, CatEx Head of Communications
Email: naomi@catalogueexchange.co.uk / Tel: 0871 8555 545

THE CATALOGUE EXCHANGE
CatEx is the first trade body of its kind in the UK to be established with the specific aim of supporting businesses in all areas of the catalogue and online retail community. It was set up seven years ago by business owners who felt their interests were not fairly represented and who wanted to give themselves and others in the industry a voice. The organisation primarily exists to facilitate vital networking between its members. It currently has more than two hundred and twenty client-side and supplier-side companies on board, including Scotts & Co, Boden, Lands' End, Joules Clothing, House of Bath, Handpicked Collection and the British Heart Foundation. For more information please visit www.catalogueexchange.co.uk.