Burlington Standard

There are many challenges and changes faced by retailers today. If you’re a student interested in learning about innovations in retail and how the industry is evolving, join the Kalkin Retailing Initiative’s latest guest speaker featuring Patrik Frisk on Monday, February 27, 2023 from noon to 3 p.m.  

The event will start with a luncheon from noon to 1:30p.m. in Kalkin 225 for Corporate Retail Seminar students taught by Professor Marian Fritz, and a presentation with Q&A and networking opportunities open to all UVM students from 1:45 to 3 p.m. in the Keller Room.  

A Global Leader in Retail

As a former executive, and often president, of leading global retailers including Under Armour, Timberland, Aldo, and The North Face, Patrik will share what he’s learned from these experiences, insights on retailing in general and its future, and his philosophy on slow and sustainable growth compared to rocketing growth. 

The Kalkin Retailing Initiative

The Eugene and Joan Kalkin Retailing Initiative at the Grossman School of Business was set up via an endowment established by Eugene and Joan Kalkin to support academic and professional development of students in the area of retailing. Eugene Kalkin had a long and distinguished career in retailing, most notably as the innovative founder of the highly successful chain Linens ‘n Things, which had become one of the nation’s largest and most profitable specialty retailers of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories when Eugene sold the company in 1983.  

This Fund is an important part of their legacy of philanthropy, which includes their historic gift in 1986 to name Kalkin Hall as the home of UVM’s business school. The Initiative features academic and professional activities, ranging from networking, scholarship and experiential opportunities, to new and expanded courses, as well as guest speakers on innovations in retailing including Patrik Frisk, Dan White book, and others.  

Patrik's son David ('22) was on the UVM Ski Team 

 The UVM Connection

Patrik's tie to the University of Vermont is his son, David, who graduated in 2022 from the College of Education and Social Services. David was a member of the UVM alpine ski racing team and is currently a ski coach in Colorado. Patrik has a home in Vermont and continues to support the university through events and programs through the Kalkin Retailing Initiative.

Original source can be found here.