​In the autumn of 2019, it became clear that eXpression Future Retail is receiving new funding to be able to spread the accelerator programme that was carried out from August 2019 to February 2020 based in Umeå. Already now it is open for owner-operated companies in the retail sector 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 starts in August 2020 and will run for about 9 months.

The background to eXpression Future Retail is about the industry transformation that is currently underway and that places new demands on the transformation of the trade 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 Swedish Trade Federation, through the Merchants' Association Foundation, is behind the initiative in order to, among other things, give retailers the opportunity to meet new and changing customer and consumer behaviour.

-"We look forward to welcoming new companies from all over the country into our operations at eXpression Future Retail. Together with the 12 companies that are in the programme today, we have worked intensively on various topics to develop knowledge and create awareness of everything from consumer behaviour, branding, social media, purchasing and logistics, new business models to hosting and leadership. With the lessons we have learned about the structure of the programme, we have now created an even more adapted and extended programme," says Annakarin Nyberg, Programme Manager Business Developer at eXpression Future Retail.

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

-"I have really benefited from my participation in the programme. It has been a competence enhancement for both me and my colleagues. In addition, we have created networks for future collaborations and we are currently working on a completely new business concept. The fact that, in addition to the time you contribute yourself, the programme is completely free of charge 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.wxpressionumea.se/program/future-retail/. There is also 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, starting in August 2020, will be announced by 10 June.

The eXpression Future Retail programme is an initiative together with the Swedish Trade Federation via the Swedish Retailers' Association Foundation, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten, Umeå University and EU structural funds.

For more information:

Marlene Johansson, CEO eXpression Umeå
​070-674 95 39

Annakarin Nyberg, Programme Manager Business Developer eXpression Future Retail.
​070-667 94 43