In autumn 2019, it became clear that eXpression Future Retail Lab will receive new funding to nationally disseminate the accelerator program that from August 2019 to February 2020 was implemented based in Umeå. It is already opening up for owner-operated retail companies and new entrepreneurs to apply for the next round of the accelerator programme. The new round is national and companies from all over the country are welcome to apply. The programme will start in August 2020 and will run for about 9 months.

The background to the eXpression Future Retail Lab is the transformation of the industry that is currently underway and which places new demands on the transformation of the retail sector as large parts are digitised, an increasing proportion of business is done via the internet and the physical store plays a new role for the customer. The Confederation of Swedish Retailers, through the Merchants' Association Foundation, is behind the initiative to provide retailers with opportunities to meet new and changing customer and consumer behaviours.

We look forward to welcoming new companies from all over the country into our operations at eXpression Future Retail Lab. Together with the 12 companies currently in the programme, we have been working intensively on a range of topics to develop knowledge and create awareness on everything from consumer behaviour, branding, social media, sourcing and logistics, new business models to hosting and leadership. With the lessons learned in building the programme, we have now created an even more adapted and extended programme," says Annakarin Nyberg, Programme Manager, Business Development at eXpression Future Retail Lab.

The companies that participated in the local round are all very satisfied with the outcome and new partnerships have and new business models have been developed.

I have really benefited from my participation in the programme. It has been a skill enhancer for both me and my colleagues. In addition, we have created networks for future collaborations and we are currently working on a brand new business concept. The fact that the programme is completely free of charge, in addition to the time you contribute, is an incredible benefit for an entrepreneur with an SME company," says Simon Nordberg, owner of Childrenshouse.se. 

Registration of interest in the national accelerator programme is done via eXpression Umeå's website www.expressionumea.se/future-retail-lab/. There you will also find more information about the programme and criteria to consider when applying. A selection for admission is made through an interview procedure in the spring. The companies participating in the programme will be announced by 10 June, starting in August 2020.

The eXpression Future Retail Lab programme is a joint venture with the Swedish Retail Federation via the Merchants' Association Foundation, Umeå municipality, Region Västerbotten, Umeå University and EU structural funds.

Photographer: Matilda Audas Björkholm

For more information:
Marlene Johansson,
CEO
eXpression Umeå
070-674 95 39

Annakarin Nyberg,
program manager business developer
eXpression Future Retail
070-667 94 43