Two companies from Piteå are participating in the third round of the eXpression Future Retail Lab, Järnspisens matbod and Pensionatet på Malmgatan. Both are centrally located in the coastal town of Piteå. Last week, eXpression business developers Annakarin Nyberg and Anna Wikholm Kjellberg visited the city to take the pulse of the participating companies and monitor their performance.
Järnspisens matbod, a local delicatessen with an associated food studio, is located in the centre of town, on the pedestrian street in Piteå. The range includes cheeses, charcuterie, food bags and food activities of various kinds. Behind the concept are Cecilia and Daniel Lindström, both with long experience in the restaurant industry and a passionate interest in the city, food and people. Järnspisens food stall has made a name for itself with a well-stocked range, a well-planned shop and good hospitality. When asked what the programme has brought so far, new knowledge and experiences were highlighted.
We have gained new knowledge that has strengthened us in our brand building. Everything we do now breathes Järnspisens matbod and we are already seeing the results in the form of increased sales, says Cecilia Lindström, Järnspisens Matbod.
A short walk from the pedestrian street we find the Pensionatet, with shop, conference, restaurant and hotel activities. Pensionatet on Malmgatan is run by Lisa Hellmér and My Bergström with the aim of creating a unique place where people thrive - a place for meetings, people and food.
The discussion highlighted how the accelerator programme has contributed to changes in the business. Among other things, the heterogeneous composition of participants was discussed, which Lisa Hellmér and My Bergström believe provides exciting opportunities to learn from like-minded people as well as from other types of activities. In addition, new planned collaborations and future hires were discussed.
We have received confirmation that parts of our way of working work well, while others can be developed. We have both new exciting launches and hires in the pipeline that will lift and develop our business, says Lisa Hellmér, Pensionatet.
The company visits are part of the business development process at the eXpression Future Retail Lab and also mark the halfway point in the nine-month programme. In addition to business development, the structure and content of the programme are evaluated. Participants also have the opportunity to highlight any new needs for skills and business development.
The guesthouse and the Iron Fish Shop are two unique businesses that contribute to the development of the city. Individually, together and in conjunction with other things going on in Piteå, they are valuable reasons to visit. From eXpressions' side, it feels great to be able to contribute with business development to these creative entrepreneurs, says Annakarin Nyberg, program manager business developer for Future Retail Lab.
LINKS
Visit Järnspisens Matbod website
Visit the guesthouse website
Read more about eXpression Future Retail Lab
