Ulf's background, with 30 years as a retail researcher and 11 years as head of the Centre for Retail Research at Lund University, can offer valuable insights to the council. Most recently, he has led the research project "Future-proofing the Physical Store through New Store Formats."
“I am delighted and honoured by this appointment. I have followed the council's work for years, always with great interest in their reports and contributions,” Johansson remarked.
The council operates as an independent body tasked with publishing reports, providing recommendations, and fostering greater understanding of the retail sector’s impact on society and Sweden's economic development. It also highlights the importance of creating favourable conditions for the retail industry’s competitiveness.
Other council members include Cecilia Hermansson from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Håkan Frisen from SEB, and Elin Nilsson from Umeå University. Together, they collaborate on producing an annual report, with responsibilities extending to disseminating and communicating the findings effectively.
“Retail is undergoing significant transformation and renewal. Hopefully, research and initiatives from actors like the Swedish Retail and Wholesale Council can provide valuable input during this process,” said Johansson.