On Tuesday 25 February, work was completed with the twelve participating companies in the pilot round of the eXpression Future Retail Lab accelerator programme. The programme has brought new knowledge, new digital tools and helped to explore issues related to the sustainable retail of the future. Over a period of six months, the participating companies have had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in various areas, ranging from business model analysis, market intelligence, branding, communication strategies, social media, consumer behaviour, to sales, purchasing, logistics and leadership issues. During the closing session, the companies presented their new and updated business plans and shared new goals and visions that have emerged during the programme period.
Companies were also given the opportunity to reflect on the importance of the accelerator programme. Strengths highlighted included new knowledge, increased growth, broadened networks, new and developed business models, developed strategic sustainability work and new collaborations with companies within and outside the group of participants.
The evaluation clearly showed that the accelerator programme has helped companies to create structure and work more strategically and purposefully in their operations. We also see that the opportunity to work with experts, researchers and companies to verify their operations, working methods and strategies has brought value in terms of increased confidence and energy. This has implications for the path that is being charted now and in the future," says Annakarin Nyberg, Programme Manager at eXpression Future Retail Lab.
Moa Gahlin, owner of fashion boutique Bigaro, is one of the twelve companies that have participated in the accelerator programme, and says that the accelerator has helped her think big about her business.
I have felt small. But I've realised that I shouldn't do that. What I do is really big, even bigger than I understand myself," says Moa Gahlin.
From participating companies will be offered further business development at eXpression Future Retail Lab.
The eXpression program Future Retail Lab is an initiative together with the Swedish Retail Federation via the Foundation Köpmannaförbundet, Umeå municipality, Region Västerbotten, Umeå University and the EU structural funds.
