On 8 May, the Trade Council invited businesses, academics, industry representatives and public authorities to a workshop aimed at boosting trade, identifying common development needs and, ultimately, contributing to a forthcoming research and innovation bill.
From Umeå University, eXpression and Future Retail Lab, Elin Nilsson, researcher at Umeå School of Economics, participated.
The day offered good discussions on, among other things, future consumers, seamless trade and how we can create a future trade that is both sustainable and profitable. Together, we also made it clear that more resources are needed for research," says Elin Nilsson.
In 2020, the government intends to present a research and innovation bill for Sweden and the Swedish Trade Council has been given the opportunity to express its perspectives. In practice, this means an opportunity to help influence the direction of research.
Elin Nilsson, researcher at Umeå University, participates in the knowledge development of eXpressions' Future Retail Lab accelerator programme. The programme is a national accelerator that tackles issues of future sustainable retail together with existing owner-operated companies and new entrepreneurs.
The Future Retail Lab is funded by the Swedish Retail Federation via the Swedish Merchants' Association Foundation and is also part-funded by EU structural funds and established at eXpression - the business incubator for cultural and creative industries.