Commerce sector

Digitalisation is the strongest force shaping the operational environment and preconditions of commerce. The platform economy is also one of the great phenomena of the digital age.

Digital has been an important phase in the enhancement of commerce and in increasing the productivity of commerce, but at the same time, it is also challenging the Finnish retail and wholesale trade. In the specialty goods trade especially, the international competition is tough and growing. On the other hand, thanks to digitalisation, the world market is available to everyone, even the smallest of companies.

Digitalisation, automisation and international competition continuously change commerce’s work market and skill requirements. The wholesale trade in particular has been able to enhance its operations, which has reduced the need for personnel, but has at the same time changed the skill requirements, as the work force is required to have more digital skills than previously

Corporate responsibility is company-level action that takes place in accordance with good employership, human rights and sustainable development and that transcends legislation. In commerce, responsibility is linked to everyday work and action.

Commerce wants to promote sustainable everyday life. As the biggest employer in the economy, commerce recognises its own significance in ensuring the well-being and safety of personnel.  Climate change and environmental awareness affect consumers’ attitudes and choices and challenge commerce to act more responsibly. Alongside reducing its environmental impact, commerce is also developing monitoring related to production and the treatment of workers in risk countries.

Commerce has already done a lot of good under the heading of responsibility; according to research, it is seen as the most responsible of all branches of business. It is a pioneer in energy efficiency, recycling, waste prevention and youth employment.

Finnish commerce has irrevocably become a part of international competition and no longer can any branch of commerce be seen as a solely Finnish phenomenon.

Large and global agents in the continuously growing electronic commerce define the level of operations. Internationally successful concepts of bricks-and-mortar commerce are also landing in Finland. Finnish commerce has to defend its place domestically, but at the same time it must seek its share of the global digital market.

The regulatory environment of the Finnish commerce sector has many agents that challenge commerce in international competition. We want to affect the operational preconditions of domestic commerce so that in the future, it could operate in a fair competition environment with foreign electronic commerce.

Securing the well-being of personnel, customers and partners and protecting the company’s property and continuity and profitability of businesses are among the most important objectives of commerce’s security operations. By preventing security risks and improving preparedness for accidental, dangerous and harmful situations, the productivity of commerce has been improved and its competitive strength supported.

In the digital operationsenvironment, commerce wants to ensure a safe and easy path for consumers to purchasing and paying by, for example, cooperating with various interest groups and authorities.

Commerce also makes sure that the products being sold are safe by requiring suppliers to have strict production and quality controls. The supply chain must be as transparent as possible so that the consumer can be sure of the product’s origin, if necessary.

The commerce sector, which employs nearly 277,000 people, is the largest employer in private business and also offers opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Commerce is also the biggest employer of youth; over one fifth of all workers under the age of 25 are employed in the field of commerce. The commerce sector employs nearly 450,000 people.

The commerce sector offers a wide range of jobs from basic professional work to demanding specialist and supervisor duties that require an university degree. Usually, people are chosen for the specific job and on the basis of secondary and higher education degrees. A secondary education degree can also be achieved through an apprenticeship.