What’s Next for Europe’s Retail Sector In 2025?

0.1%—that’s the real increase in food sales when adjusted for inflation in Europe. Despite marking the first sector-wide growth since the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, the retail industry still faces mounting challenges. With profitability under pressure and growth set to remain minimal in 2025, retailers must navigate a complex economic landscape.

Key Facts

Grocery sales grew by 2.4% in 2024, according to a report by McKinsey & Company and EuroCommerce, which represents 28 national trade associations and over 5 million companies.
This 2.4% growth barely outpaced food price inflation (2.3%), leaving a real gain of just 0.1%.
Consumers, squeezed by ongoing economic pressures, remain cautious in their spending, though retail executives express optimism for 2025.
The report indicates little change in consumer behavior from 2024, suggesting spending patterns are stabilizing.
While some markets show early signs of recovery, long-term forecasts remain bleak: the European retail sector is expected to grow just 0.2% annually through 2030, while retailers battle rising inflation and labor shortages.

Retailers Brace For A Tough Road Ahead

Despite the modest rebound, the retail sector’s path forward remains fraught with challenges. As costs continue to rise and growth remains sluggish, retailers will need to find new ways to drive efficiency and sustain profitability in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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WhatsApp Introduces Parent-Supervised Accounts For Users Under 13

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2026

Enhanced Security And Messaging Control

WhatsApp has introduced a new type of account designed for users under the age of 13, allowing parents to supervise messaging activity. The accounts are limited to messaging and voice calls and do not include advertising features, reflecting growing demand from families for safer communication tools for younger users.

Streamlined Verification And Parental Oversight

Creating a supervised account requires a parent or guardian to complete a dual-device verification process using a QR code. This procedure links the child’s device with the parent’s account, allowing guardians to monitor certain activities. Once the connection is established, parents can receive notifications when their child adds, blocks or reports contacts. The system is designed to provide oversight while still allowing children to communicate with approved contacts.

Restricted Features With Full Encryption

Several WhatsApp functions are restricted within supervised accounts. Access to Meta AI, Channels and Status updates is disabled, and disappearing messages are not available in individual chats. Despite these limitations, conversations remain protected with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages and calls remain private between participants.

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Controlled Interactions And Transition Options

Additional safety tools help pre-teens manage interactions with unfamiliar contacts. Context cards provide details about messages received from unknown users, including shared groups and the country where the account originated. Users also have the option to silence incoming calls from numbers that are not saved in their contacts.

Chat requests and invitations to join group conversations require a six-digit parental PIN before they can be accepted. As children grow older, WhatsApp will inform them about the option to convert their supervised profile into a standard account. Parents can postpone this transition for up to 12 months if they wish to maintain supervision for a longer period.

A Broader Commitment To Digital Safety

WhatsApp’s initiative builds on Meta’s longstanding efforts to enhance the safety of young users across its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. With over 3 billion active users worldwide, WhatsApp is reinforcing its commitment to a secure digital environment. This move also coincides with regulatory trends in countries such as Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the U.K., where steps are being taken to restrict social media access for younger users.

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