SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Consumption and Trade- A driver for growth

Dr. Maria Lindqvist, Nordregio

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Background

• Consumption as a driver for innovation and economic development

• Trade is a prioritised sector among local and regional policy makers

• Focus on retail as a growing services sector

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Structural Changes

• Innovation and technological development

• Rationalization, productivity and efficiency

• Industrialization, scale economies and volumes

• Increased competition

• Need for systems perspective

• Regional concentration, e.g. urban areas and border regions

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Trends in Consumption Patterns

• Consumers have become increasingly mobile

• More positive attitudes towards e-trade

• Shorter PLC for consumer durables

• Consumption funded by loans and credits.

• New customer groups and products

• Shopping as a part of the experience industry

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Impact of innovation

• New product, concepts and packaging

• Technical innovation, e.g. EAN codes, self scanning, computerized payment systems, security issues

• New distribution channels, e.g. e-trade, direct sales, factory outlets

• Integrated financial solutions

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Challenges for policy

• Regulation and standardization

• Accessibility and services

• Education and competence development

• Research and knowledge development

• Entrepreneurship and innovation

• Internationalization

SWEDISH AGENCY FOR ECONOMICAND REGIONAL GROWTH

Bakground material• The role of consumption in economic growth and change

• The role of retail for growth

• Employment in the retail sector

• Swedish household consumption

• The general and regional structure of the retail sector

• Swedish e-trade

• Immigration and new consumption patterns

• Sales of ecological products and services

• … and other material