INNOVATION AS AN ELEMENT OF THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TRADE ENTERPRISES

Abstract

Active involvement of innovations in all spheres of life of society significantly affects the economic, social, cultural and other aspects of its development. Innovations in modern conditions should be considered as a determining factor of competitiveness of both business entities and the economy as a whole. In this regard, the article explores the concept of innovations in trade, the main task of which is to ensure high quality of purchase and sale processes in trade enterprises, goods movement and delivery of goods to the final buyer, trade service of buyers and high efficiency of trade activities in general. The article explores the features of modern innovative development of trade enterprises, provides a classification of innovations in trade by content, identifies promising solutions for the innovation process in trade enterprises. The modern prospects for the implementation of organizational and managerial, trade and technological, commercial, economic and social innovations in trade enterprises are revealed. The advantages of their application for both buyers and partners, and for the trade enterprises themselves are identified. For domestic business entities in trade, in order to optimize existing business processes, innovations that improve interaction with buyers, contribute to the automation of technological processes in wholesale and retail trade, improve transport and warehouse logistics, allow optimizing inventory management, increase safety and control over the preservation of goods are relevant. The introduction of innovations in such areas will contribute to accelerating the turnover of goods in trade, optimizing the size of their inventories, links of goods movement and, as a result, increasing the efficiency of the functioning of trade entities and the industry as a whole. Based on the results of the study, a conclusion was made about the importance of conducting diagnostics of innovative activity in trade, disseminating the experience of innovatively active enterprises, as well as the need for state support for innovative activity.