Final RetailUp Lecture: Erik-Jan on Innovations in Business
General Information
State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) has successfully concluded the autumn cycle of its intellectual initiative, RetailUp, which operates under the inspiring motto, "Where ideas meet experience." The ideological leaders and organizers of the RetailUp project are Olena Obukhivska, a SUTE alumna and expert in international communications, and Artem Shlapak, Head of the Malls Club. The initiative, which launched in October 2025 and brought together a wide audience of students, consistently uncovered key aspects of modern business.
The final lecture of this semester within the RetailUp project took place on November 28, 2025.
At the beginning of the event, Nataliia Prytulska, First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of SUTE, welcomed the audience and, on behalf of Rector Anatolii Mazaraki, solemnly presented a certificate to Mr. Erik-Jan Kaak, acknowledging his significant contribution to the development of the intellectual initiative RetailUp.
The focus of this session was the highly relevant topic, "Innovations in Business". This concluding event served as a powerful platform for understanding the key role of innovation as a driving force for development and a competitive advantage in the modern business environment. During the lecture, the following important issues were covered:
- Definition and classification of innovations, as well as their impact on a company's life cycle.
- Stages from idea generation to its successful implementation in the market.
- Methods for creating a culture of innovation and approaches to change management.
- Review of successful case studies of innovation leadership in European business.
SUTE students, who actively participated in all sessions, had the opportunity not only to deepen their theoretical knowledge but also to gain practical insights into the mechanisms for implementing innovative solutions in a complex and dynamic world.
The lecture recording is available via the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NEYEjolugyQn8uEvlh2QmNCBkXVioNI0/view?usp=sharing
The RetailUp program was moderated by Artem Shlapak, Head of the Malls Club, and Olena Obukhivska, expert in international communications and leader of the RetailUp initiative.
The RetailUp project is a vivid example of SUTE's fruitful cooperation with the European business community, offering students a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from top-level practitioners. We are pleased with the high interest and active participation of SUTE students, which confirms the importance of integrating academic knowledge with real European business experience.
Please note that this was the final RetailUp lecture of this semester. The project will be continued in the next semester, where students can look forward to new relevant topics and practicing speakers. Stay tuned for announcements!
Tamara Kortukova
Head of the International Relations Department
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