Abstract
<jats:p>The article analyzes the digital transformation of the Ukrainian retail sector. In the context of structural economic crises, the retail system has become a key stabilizer of the national budget; however, its future growth is constrained by the pace of digitalization. The study assesses the susceptibility of both external and internal environments to "Retail 4.0" trends, revealing a complex landscape of opportunities and systemic risks. It is demonstrated that the digital development of domestic retail companies is characterized by significant heterogeneity, driven by high levels of monopolization and platformization. Large-scale retailers (ROZETKA, Epicentr, COMFY) form closed, autonomous digital ecosystems, while small enterprises remain limited to basic SaaS platforms, lacking the capital for proprietary technological solutions. A critical competitive gap is identified between domestic businesses and international giants (Amazon, Walmart, Alibaba), particularly in terms of ecosystem depth and data monetization capacity. Through correlation analysis, a direct relationship is established between the country’s digital competitiveness (IMD Ranking) and retailers' revenue performance. However, a "digital façade" paradox is revealed: companies demonstrate advanced front-end digital solutions while exhibiting low levels of integration within internal back-end processes. A strong inverse correlation between corporate income and national scientific concentration indicates a structural disconnect between academic R&D and practical business growth. The study critiques global digital maturity models (Gartner, McKinsey) for their qualitative bias and limited operational measurability, and proposes an original model for assessing corporate digital readiness. This author’s model is based on integral indices across three analytical blocks: "Knowledge" (human capital), "Technologies" (technological infrastructure and project readiness), and "Future Readiness" (organizational adaptability). This framework synchronizes macro- and micro-level analyses, providing a prognostic instrument for enhancing the competitiveness of domestic enterprises within the global digital economy.</jats:p>