Retail and logistics researchers gathered in Helsingborg in early November to present and discuss the latest research at the ninth edition of the Nordic Retail and Wholesale Conference (NRWC).
Interest in this year’s conference was high, with a total of 144 registered participants from several different countries. This year it was Lund University’s turn to host the conference, which is organised every two years by the NRWA network. Lund University researchers Kristina Bäckström, Carys Egan-Wyer and Emma Samsioe have spent the last two years preparing for the three-day event in Helsingborg.
“The participants seemed very satisfied with the conference, and we had many exciting presentations and fruitful discussions,’ says Emma Samsioe, Associate Professor at the Department of Service Studies.
The conference began with a workshop for PhD students, where young researchers could present their work and receive valuable feedback from more experienced colleagues. This was followed by a welcome reception at Helsingborg City Hall, where participants had the opportunity to network and enjoy the atmosphere.
The main conference took place at Campus Helsingborg, with presentations and discussions on the latest research in Retail and logistics. Several researchers from Campus Helsingborg presented new research in areas such as circular clothing consumption, digitalisation of second-hand shopping, climate-neutral e-commerce logistics, new store formats, retail in vulnerable areas and about e-commerce managers.
Keynote speakers at the conference included Eleonora Pantano, Associate Professor of Retail and Marketing Technology at the University of Bristol, who spoke about AI in retail, and Tony Sandelius, Xplore Manager at Ingka Group, who presented on Ikea’s work to shape the future of retail.
A conference dinner was also organised at Culise restaurant in Helsingborg City Theatre with live music and mingle.
– The fact that the conference is being held in Helsingborg is very important for the city’s position as a leading retail and logistics hub. This is where research and business come together to find solutions to future challenges in retail and sustainable logistics flows. These are the kinds of initiatives that drive innovation and growth in the region,” says Alexandra Werder Hallonkvist, Head of Growth at the City of Helsingborg.
