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Toward Smart and Sustainable Business Models in Retail

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Innovation for Sustainability

Abstract

The business models of the retail sector are under pressure, due to three concurrent trends: the sustainability problem, an expanding technological opportunity space and changing consumer preferences. This chapter investigates how this enables the development of smarter and more sustainable business models in retail. We shed light on the developments in the sector that indicate the need for new business models. In order to discuss the nature and characteristics of such business models, we present the RESTART framework, which reflects seven components that can be the basis for more sustainable business models. We apply these to the case of the retail sector, and based on this, we outline potential future developments in this sector that can allow its companies to be both sustainable and profitable. Finally, we outline practical implications and avenues for future research.

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Correspondence to Sveinung Jørgensen .

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Jørgensen, S., Pedersen, L.J.T. (2019). Toward Smart and Sustainable Business Models in Retail. In: Bocken, N., Ritala, P., Albareda, L., Verburg, R. (eds) Innovation for Sustainability. Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business In Association with Future Earth. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97385-2_10

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