Month: November 2020

Record-breaking e-commerce Christmas season is coming

Predicting Christmas commerce is particularly difficult this year. Many specialty goods trade sectors, for which the Christmas season has traditionally been the most important sales season of the year, have suffered during the COVID-19 year. At the beginning of the season, it is encouraging to see that consumption intentions in many important product groups have intensified right now. December is still by far the most important month in terms of sales for commerce in Finland.

People also appreciate physical stores and services during the COVID-19 pandemic – daily consumer goods trade has the best service experience

The year of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging for consumer services and medical centres had the greatest increase in customer satisfaction. Satisfaction improved the most in the Alepa chain and is the highest with customers of Dressmann. Service experience has a considerable impact on customer satisfaction, and daily consumer goods trade has the best service experience. Finnish Commerce Federation’s Chief Economist, Jaana Kurjenoja finds that physical stores can use location, selection and customer service to compete with online buying.

Record-breaking e-commerce Christmas season is coming

Predicting Christmas commerce is particularly difficult this year. Many specialty goods trade sectors, for which the Christmas season has traditionally been the most important sales season of the year, have suffered during the COVID-19 year. At the beginning of the season, it is encouraging to see that consumption intentions in many important product groups have intensified right now. December is still by far the most important month in terms of sales for commerce in Finland.

More flexibility required for sector limitations and grounds for application

The government bill concerning the fixed-term cost support for businesses is currently being processed by the Parliament’s Commerce Committee. The Finnish Commerce Federation sees the government proposal as very welcome and hopes for a speedy process, but nevertheless believes some things should still be changed in order for cost support to reach those companies that need it most and to the best possible extent.

Trade Union Pro continues its absurd strike action at Suomen Kotidata – strike number seven starts

Pro has today announced a new month-long strike to take place from 25 November to 22 December. According to Pro, the terms of employment applied in the company are the reason for the strike. What makes it absurd is that the strike targets a company in a dispute that was already resolved in September. Back then, the Labour Court unanimously stated that Kotidata may apply the terms of the Collective Agreement for the Commercial Sector. According to Pro’s demands, the strikes would end if Kotidata would agree to give all employees a pay increase of approximately EUR 500. This groundless demand is supported through strikes that risk losing jobs.

The pioneers of online buying pave the way – interest in responsible online shopping

The pioneers of the digital world and online buying have started to show interest in various themes related to responsibility. According to a survey conducted by the Finnish Commerce Federation and Posti, the importance of price as the primary factor influencing purchase decisions has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The changes in the attitudes of pioneers of online buying may reflect a more general future trend.