Short Summary European Reports on Retail Sector, Motor Vehicle Repair and Sales Sector, Food and Beverages Sector.

This document is composed of European synthesis reports on retail trade, the agro-food sector, and the motor vehicle sales and repair sector. They are based on the most important findings of the European report and the 12 national reports for each sector. Section 1, "Retail Sector," deals in part 1 with the structure of retailing in the different countries, observed trends, and future prospects, and analyzes employment, skills, and labor force issues. Part 2 summarizes the findings concerning continuing training. It emphasizes the importance of training and the promotion of a training culture. Section 2, "Motor Vehicle Repair and Sales Sector," suggests in part 1 that the motor vehicle sector is the key sector for integration in Europe. Part 2 describes the repair shop structure: authorized dealers, independent repair shops, and mega-dealers. Part 3 focuses on social conditions, including remuneration, working hours, and collective agreements. Parts 4-5 discuss employment and recruitment conditions and staff structure. Part 6 describes the progress from repair shops to quality service points with a focus on continuing vocational training and its costs as an investment in high quality service. Section 3, "Food and Beverages Sector," describes the industry, market, producers, employment, training, and the future and discusses such general trends as development in the "human resources" issue, transformation of the work organization, and organization of training and the public targeted. The organizations that carried out the sectoral surveys are listed. (YLB)