Integration of Ukraine's Retail Trade Into Sustainable Development Conditions

A study has been conducted on the problems of sustainable development arising from the concept of achieving a balanced combination of economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection using the example of the modern development of retail trade. It has been established that the linear econ- omy model, which is based on the paradigm of consumption dominance, has led to the depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change and does not meet the modern demands of society due to its negative socio-economic effects. It has been determined that, under these conditions, businesses should seek new approaches to their development and consider the circular economy as an alternative, which is based on waste minimization, material reuse, and resource recovery. Based on the conducted research, it has been revealed that, playing a key role in meeting consumer needs and being an important link in connecting manufacturers and end consumers, retail trade has a significant impact on the envi- ronment, which is evident at all stages of the product life cycle: from production to disposal. Retail trade includes a significant number of participants, including large and medium-sized retail chains, independ- ent stores, online stores, etc., which, even under the conditions of COVID-19 and full-scale invasion, have demonstrated exceptional resilience and adaptation to new economic conditions. Particular attention is given to the identified main environmental problems of retail trade and the proposed directions for opti- mizing retail trade processes aimed at minimizing the negative impact on the environment. The activities of the main players in the retail market have been analyzed, and information has been provided on the initiatives of retail chains in the field of sustainable development. The key factors influencing the devel- opment of the retail trade sector have been identified based on an analysis of strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats, which indicate the high adaptability and ability of Ukrainian retail trade to transform according to modern requirements and trends. The prospects for integrating the cir- cular economy into retail trade strategies have been considered, particularly through the use of environ- mentally friendly packaging materials, supply chain optimization, and the implementation of responsible consumption principles.