Sampo Parkkinen

Eight years ago, an optician retailer in Sweden hired a BCG consultant to understand why customers, on average, only owned 1.2 pairs of prescription glasses despite having diverse needs (e.g., sunglasses, sports glasses, reading glasses). The study revealed that since eyesight typically changes every 2.5 years, customers were reluctant to invest in multiple expensive pairs that would soon become obsolete. The solution? Revamp the payment model. By introducing a subscription-based plan, customers could pay a monthly fee and receive free lens changes whenever their prescription updated. Additionally, customers could swap one frame per year at no extra cost. The results were transformative. Now, more than 50% of the market's revenue comes from subscriptions. On average, customers own three pairs of glasses, enhancing eye health and promoting a circular economy—old glasses are returned, refurbished, and reused. After 15 months of developing our platform, we are now poised to offer this innovative solution to opticians worldwide. Our goal is to help opticians pivot to this new model, providing a superior solution for those needing vision correction.. https://lnkd.in/d9p74TAV

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The purchasing period is one of the most critical stages in the fashion cycle. Making the right buying decisions directly impacts key performance indicators like sell-through rates, revenue, and gross margins. At Purply, we leverage Nordic market data and insights to help fashion retailers to optimize their purchasing strategies. By aligning purchasing with actual market trends and demand, it is easy to maximize profitability while avoiding overproduction or the problems that unsold articles cause, such as markdowns, waste, and excessive resource use. Data-driven purchasing decisions reduce excess inventory, improve sell-through, and create a more sustainable fashion ecosystem. 🙏 Together, with help of Market Intelligence we can drive both business success and environmental responsibility. P.S. Don’t forget that Purply Retail is free to premium fashion stores that join our data ecosystem! #Fashion #Retail #MarketIntelligence #Datadriven

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Are you curious about where your brand or store stands in the Nordic premium fashion market? With Purply’s Market Intelligence and Benchmarking tools, you’re equipped to dive deep into data-driven insights that reveal where you excel—and where there’s room for growth. If you let me and my team help you to understand your market position and guide your next strategic steps I can promise that it will be the easiest way to unlock new growth opportunities, make data-driven decisions successfully, and stay ahead of the competition.

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 👕 Get the Right Assortment with Purply Retail! Struggling to ensure your store has the products that sell? Purply Retail provides real-time insights from over 230 multibrand fashion stores in the Nordics, helping you curate an assortment that moves. ◾ Example: You notice your sales in women clothes lagging. Benchmark data reveals that other stores are seeing success within women's blouses. ▶ Action: Stock more of this correct price range women blouse brand, adjust your price range accordingly and inform your customers. This will help align your assortment with what’s selling well in the market. Stay ahead with a well-curated assortment! Contact us for a demo: [email protected] #RetailAnalytics #AssortmentOptimization #FashionIndustry #PurplyRetail

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These are the hottest startups to follow in the Nordics 🔥 curated by Sifted and Mimi Billing - picked by top VC funds, generalists and deep tech VCs in the area. Please note, that these are companies we have not invested, but think are worth to follow or with high potential. https://lnkd.in/d3pit3FT ——— Our fund was asked to list in particular university and science spin-off companies. My picks from Voima Ventures: - IntuiCell, Photoncycle and Vitroscope Sophia Bendz, partner at Cherry Ventures - Leya, Lovable and Terra Labs Sabina Wizander, partner at Creandum - Normain, Dendrite.ai Agent, Soolv Linus Dahg, CEO of Inventure - IONLACE - We're hiring!, spektr,Ambio Kremena Tosheva, investor at SNÖ Ventures - ReOrbit, Carbon Crusher, Keystrike #nordics #startups #tech #innovation #ai #venturecapital

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🎊 Great news for early-stage businesses in Denmark! The new government reform introduces significant funding opportunities, tax relief, and legal changes aimed at boosting startup growth. This is a perfect time for innovative ideas in health, wellbeing, and energy sectors to thrive. If you have a startup or an idea, we want to hear from you! Learn more about the reforms and send your pitch to us for a chance to collaborate. At KRING we not only invest in impact ideas and business concepts, we co-create! https://lnkd.in/dSBnmuDS #Startups #Innovation #Health #Energy #Entrepreneurship #DenmarkReform #EarlyStageBusiness #impactinvesting #Venturebuilding #kring

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With currency fluctuations affecting the Nordics, I think it’s essential for fashion brands and stores to have the right tools in place. That’s where Purply’s Market Intelligence (MI) steps in to help you stay in control. Check out the post below for more details on how these fluctuations are impacting profitability, and why real-time data is key to navigating this season successfully. Purply MI is the tool to make those adjustments on the fly, ensuring your pricing, campaigns, and strategy stay ahead of market changes.

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How to Succeed in Clothing Retail: Focus Beyond Fashion I am impressed by the story of Lager157. A company in Sweden that sells casual clothes. It is now boosting its international presence. The next establishment looks to be in Germany. The entrepreneur Stefan Palm founded Lager157 in 1999. Today they have over 60 physical stores and e-commerce in several countries. Enjoying a turnover of 320 MEUR (forecast 2024) with a 35% growth rate. (Dagens Industri 7 Aug 2024). Did they gain success by focusing on the latest fashion? Nope. They sell ordinary clothes. Compared to their competitors, they don't offer 10,000 different products, but 600. Most of the products cost less than 50 EUR. With few articles and optimized logistics, they can keep the prices low. It brings me to think about Henry Ford's famous quote from 1922: "any color the customer wants as long as it's black." Highlighting that the scaling is about doing one thing with focus. Conclusion and takeaway: success in modern retail is less about your products. Rather, it is about smart distribution, optimization, and focus. There are huge opportunities to leverage modern technology to achieve this. My work to help clients grow in retail has exposed me to #AI, #IoT, #openbankingAPI, and smart parcel scanning. Often in cases focusing on speeding up their Swedish market entry. This afternoon, I am looking forward to learning more about modern retail. I am planning to attend the event "Retail and e-commerce – new habits, new opportunities" Arrenged by Swedish-Polish Chamber of Commerce Proud to be part of the panel discussion with the topic: "what will physical and online stores look like in 5-10 years?" https://lnkd.in/dMsZ-bKC If this is interesting to you, join us online or in person in Stockholm. It's free! What key technology trends do you see in retail? I would love to hear your ideas? Ultiro AB #retail #newbusiness

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Some interesting and exciting news in the #retail and #footwear industry Drayton found this week: 1. Have you heard of microfactories? Danish supply chain startup Rodinia Generation think they have the answer to a design-make-sell model in fashion, to design-sell-make. These microfactories will provide fast, low impact production. Using 5 machines connected by software, coded by Rodinia, fabric is printed, cured and cut to specification, all without the use of any water or toxic chemicals. 2. Marks and Spencer (M&S) has revealed plans to invest more than £30m in its London stores network during 2024 and 2025. The investment is part of M&S’s store rotation programme, which aims to establish 180 higher quality, higher productivity full-line stores and 420 food halls. The initiative is expected to create 100 new jobs. 3. Nike vs adidas stripes dispute sees partial Nike victory in Germany. The Duesseldorf Regional Court had previously prohibited Nike Retail from offering and advertising five specific pairs of sports trousers with a two or three-stripe pattern on the outer seam, following a trademark violation lawsuit filed by adidas in 2022. The ruling was appealed by Nike, which contended that adidas’ claims over the three-stripe design were excessively restrictive and that striped decorations are not inherently indicative of a single brand. 4. Deckers Brands-owned HOKA made its mark as a premium footwear option for the running community. Deckers‘ chief executive officer Dave Powers discussed Hoka’s evolution from a shoe for hard-core runners to a brand being adopted by people outside of the sport. According to Powers, this phenomenon is part of a larger trend taking place within fashion and running. “I believe there’s a generalised trend out there that running is kind of becoming the new streetwear. 5. Exercise equipment brand Peloton Interactive, which grew in popularity during the pandemic, has launched a rental service as sales decline. The brand went from 2 million global members to more than 7 million between January 2020 and March 2022 as people were in their home looking for forms of exercise. However, since then the brand has reported falling revenue and sales. Now offering a rental service for £99 a month, which includes access to all its live online classes and back catalogue. #exercise #apparel #runner

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A group of people working together is NOT a team. That is a working group. A group of people TRUSTING each other - That is a TEAM! 🤝 Thomas Andersen (Head of Product Tech at ECCO) and I worked together in building a large-scale Agile tribe from 2023-2024 in the area of product lifecycle management/ shoe development process. The co-leadership between us was one of the best experiment in my career. His words better describe it than mine (see picture)👍 *** The moment you must work with other people, especially from outside of your area, that is the moment a complexity arised. Being part of a larger value chain already means you can’t deliver a complete product alone. You must find a way to #collaborate with others. 💫 Building a cross-functional team into a self-organized one, where people are proactive in communicating progress, helping each other, and solving problems first and foremost within the team before defaulting to escalate to their line managers - THAT is a dream of many leaders. It’s time to mobilize your dream 🚀 📈 This Q4-2024 is a perfect time to allocate a Q1-2025 budget dedicated for your people collaboration so they create results with more relevant values to their users/customers. 🎉 New year, new beginning! Book my #Transformation consulting and let me help you utilize your budget efficiently with lasting impact. My 3 key-milestones in starting or strengtening trust and collaboration in a new or existing team are: 1. Create pychological safety & maturity 💓 2. Organize people via a team-structure makes sense to the value chain⛓️ 3. Empower people with relevant Human* skills and Hard skills (technical or commercial) 💪 🫵 All these start from you: the leaders. Lead by example. 🫴 You’re not alone. I’ll be with you as your leadership buddy, holding your hands in this journey while co-designing the practicality of these 3 milestones. We’ll be a team 😇 DM “Transformation”, call to +45-23744036, or email me at [email protected] Read more about my coaching & consulting in leadership, transformation, and strategy on www.couraglia.com 🙋🏻‍♀️ *P.S. I prefer to use the term Human skill rather than Soft skill. Hard and soft project skills that work oppositely. Hence the term Human skills to complement the hard skills. #changemanagement #psychologicalsafety #organizationaldesign #agileleadership #leadership #consulting #agile #couraglia

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We've created a global platform for extraordinary jewellery designers worldwide, and we're truly passionate about the journey, which is only just gaining global momentum... 🚀 But, let's be real - Has it been smooth sailing? Not a chance. ☘ Has it been tough? You bet. 💪 Have we grown from it? Every single day. ❣ ...I can't guarantee you won't face your own hurdles, but at least you won't have to repeat the same mistakes we've made. Looking forward to sharing togther with awesome and talented people on May 16th. in Copenhagen💛 #luxurytech #tech #femaleentrepreneur

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As we all know returns are one of the biggest sustainability challenges in fashion. I truly hope consumers begin to recognize this and shift toward buying only the clothes they need and ensuring they are the right size and high quality. Here brick-and-mortar shopping might see a resurgence as people want to make more conscious and sustainable choices. Also the second-hand market might offer an alternative, but it's good to remember that even selling instead of returning has in many cases similar carbon footprint due to sending garment to third party seller or buyer. But most importantly, let’s avoid ordering fast fashion from other continents altogether!

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The Rise of “Middle-Tier” Fashion Brands LVMH Ventures has invested in Swedish menswear brand Our Legacy, marking another strategic move into the growing 'middle-tier' fashion segment. Founded in 2005, Our Legacy joins recent LVMH investments like Aimé Leon Dore in a category commanding significant interest relative to its size. Why the Middle Tier Matters These brands occupy a sweet spot between accessible fashion and luxury, defined by competitive price points, a quality-first ethos, and strong cultural cachet. 1) Strategic Pricing While luxury shirts from houses like Prada Group command £600+, brands like Our Legacy, Mfpen, and #Sunflower price between £150-300. This positioning is intentional. As Mfpen founder Sigurd Bank notes, "Everyone in Scandinavia is middle class. I barely know anyone who can afford luxury." With European luxury prices rising sharply since 2019, middle-tier brands offer an attractive alternative for style-conscious consumers: expensive enough to feel aspirational, yet accessible to those sensitive to fashion’s surging price points. 2) Quality-First Approach These brands prioritise fabrics, silhouettes, and construction over logo power, aligning with shifting consumer values favouring "fewer, better things" and quiet luxury. Scandinavian brands in particular have a recognisable silhouette—often cropped or loose—that feels premium, while Mfpen only creates around 150 pieces per style. “We like to make money but don’t want to [scale] too fast,” Bank explained to Vogue Business. 3) Cultural Cachet The Scandinavian fashion scene has created powerful creative networks, with designers frequently collaborating and supporting each other's work. As Louis Cheslaw documents in his menswear column for Magasin, these brands form a creative clique, with designers fostering a strong social scene. When something’s hot, people want in. With design at the core, association has become a driver in making middle-tier brands aspirational. Many industry insiders now favour understated aesthetics and the subtle flex of ‘knowing the founder’ over brute brand power. What’s Next? Most luxury houses were built in a different era—many are over 50 years old, with infrastructure designed for yesterday's market. Middle-tier brands, born digital and agile, excel at building loyalty through direct customer relationships, considered product development, and careful brand management. LVMH's investment in Our Legacy isn't just about the brand—it’s about accessing this new playbook. As the middle tier continues to grow, expect more strategic investments from luxury groups seeking to modernise their approach via middle-tier expertise. The future of luxury may well be shaped by these smaller players who've mastered the balance of quality, accessibility, and contemporary appeal. — Follow edition+partners for more. #ourlegacy #mfpen #middletier

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📢 The Apparel Market: 5 Key Trends to Watch Across Europe and Sweden by 2025 The latest Retail Economics report sheds light on transformative trends shaping the apparel industry, with a spotlight on Europe and Sweden. Here's what you need to know: 🔑 Key Trends Transforming the Market: 🌐 Digital Growth in Apparel Sales: By 2025, nearly 60% of UK apparel sales are projected to occur online—a trend reflected in Sweden and across Europe. Tech-savvy consumers increasingly turn to e-commerce, supported by AI-driven tools like size recommendation systems, which enhance the shopping experience, reduce returns, and boost satisfaction. ♻️ Sustainability at the Forefront: Swedish consumers, renowned for their eco-conscious values, are spearheading the movement toward sustainable fashion. Leading brands are adopting circular fashion practices and using recycled materials to meet the growing demand for responsible consumption throughout Europe. 🤖 Personalized Shopping Journeys: Personalization is becoming a critical differentiator continent-wide. Advanced technologies, including AI, enable brands to deliver tailored shopping experiences—from customized product recommendations to accurate size predictions—making both online and offline shopping more immersive and efficient. 🏬 Evolving In-Store Experiences: Physical stores are not vanishing; they’re transforming. In Sweden and beyond, experiential retail formats bridge the gap between online convenience and in-store engagement, offering unique, value-added experiences. 💸 Adapting to Economic Pressures: Challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions are impacting profitability. Retailers need innovative strategies, leveraging technology and sustainability to maintain resilience and consumer trust. 💡 Why This Matters for Swedish and European Retailers: To stay ahead of the curve, businesses must: ✅ Embrace digital tools such as AI for personalization and sizing accuracy. ✅ Prioritize sustainability as a core strategy. ✅ Innovate both digital and in-store experiences to align with evolving consumer expectations. 🎯 Your Turn: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for the apparel industry by 2025? Let’s discuss below! ⬇️ Source: Retail Economics #WeonAI #AI #Sustainability #ECommerce #RetailTrends #FashionTech #SustainableFashion #DigitalCommerce #AIinRetail #FutureOfShopping #TechForGood #Innovation #RetailInnovation

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Strategic Assortment Optimization: Expert Insights from Jan Ulrik Holsten Discover how Jan Ulrik Holsten, Partner at enomyc, helps mid-sized companies strengthen their market position through assortment optimization. His tips on strategic assortment optimization can boost your profitability and enhance your competitiveness.💼   Do you have questions or want to share your experiences? We look forward to your comments!💬 Read the full article here👇   #AssortmentOptimization #BusinessDevelopment #Strategy #ValueEnhancement #Restructuring #PerformanceImprovement #ToplineOptimization

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Who will capitalise on the next big Sales/Marketing trend first in Scandinavia? In the marketing world we are starting to talk about live shopping quite a bit. This has been a thing in china for 10 years already but its reaching the US and now also Europe. What live shopping is: Influencers, Brands, B2B & B2C providers selling their products on tiktok, instagram live and some are making over 1 million a month! This is how I see that Hotels (and others) could utilize and jump on this trend in 2025: - Hosting live shopping experience events where you walk through a hotel, sell gift cards on the live to your hotel and at the same time walkthrough your hotel, showcase all the benefits that customers can get and make it interactive - Building a set ups where you can promote different events, showcase products and how to use them, for example in the SPA, have your spa manager run through the best Morning/Evening routine products that you offer/ use in your SPA - Creating a dinner livestream where you have your chefs/ bartenders make dinner and drinks in the live and sell and promote your special evening events and upcoming happenings or special dinners Live shopping should be made interactive, fun and educational just like QVC in the good old days :D If you want to talk more about this and how your hotel could do this? Happy to chat and expand.

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The 2024 Better Buying Report is Out! This year’s report analyzes the buying practices of 40 companies across the sporting goods and fashion apparel industries—including major players like Lululemon and PVH Corp.— drawing insights from 1,273 suppliers. Key Trends in Fashion Buying 📉 Shorter Forecast Timelines: 30% of order forecasts were provided less than 60 days before actual orders. Fashion buyers are 37% more likely to provide late forecasts compared to sporting goods buyers (22%). 📈 Order Variability and Lack of Commitments: Monthly order variability rose 15% this year, driven by fashion buyers. Over 52% of fashion buyers made no formal commitments to suppliers, and only 24% committed for a short term (6 months to 1 year). 💰 Price-Driven Decisions: Fashion buyers often prioritize price in supplier comparisons, while sporting goods buyers consider broader competitive factors. The Reality: Fashion Buying in 2024 is HARD. The rise of ultra-fast competitors like Shein and Temu and changing customers mean high variability is the norm. For manufacturers, this translates to capacity planning chaos—balancing unpredictable demand with efficiency. To thrive in this environment, brands and manufacturers must work in unison. MannyAI, we’re helping brands do this - ✅ Convert long-term volume commitments into weekly order placements. ✅ AI-powered capacity planning for manufacturers. 💡 Contact us for a demo today! #BetterBuying2024 #FashionTech #SupplyChainInnovation #CapacityPlanning #SustainableFashion

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