The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released its findings from a 2025 Call for Evidence concerning the retail investor experience. ESMA will implement actions and operational improvements aimed at simplifying access to suitable investment opportunities for retail investors. Key areas of focus include streamlining disclosure requirements to combat information overload and simplifying suitability and appropriateness assessments. Additionally, ESMA will work on making MiFID II requirements regarding sustainability preferences less complex. Consumer testing will be employed to refine disclosures and digital investor journeys, with a particular emphasis on mobile accessibility. ESMA's Chair, Verena Ross, highlighted that enhancing the investor journey is a priority project to reduce burdens and facilitate participation in EU capital markets. Stakeholders reported numerous regulatory and non-regulatory barriers preventing retail investors from engaging with financial markets. These barriers include disclosures that are too long, complex, and not digital-first, as well as suitability assessments that, while valuable, are perceived as burdensome. Furthermore, non-regulatory obstacles such as lack of trust, high costs, limited product comparability, low financial literacy, and complex taxation were identified. This report will inform ESMA's future technical advice and potential guideline updates, aligning with the Retail Investment Strategy.