The Finnish Commerce Federation and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises: Companies need better predictability regarding restrictions on gatherings as the summer approaches

While the summer festive season – crucial for companies in the trade and service sector – is beginning, it is still unclear whether it is permitted to arrange graduation receptions in some parts of the country. Even though restrictions do not directly apply to stores, they have an impact on consumer behaviour.

“The summer festive season is one of the most important seasons in terms of sales for a variety of stores, such as fashion shops, gift shops and other specialty goods shops. As the pandemic is prolonged, we missed out on the festive season almost entirely last summer, and the company Christmas party season. The situation is critical for many companies,” says Mari Kiviniemi, Managing Director of the Finnish Commerce Federation.

Following a recent decision of the Finnish Government, we have shifted back to regional prevention measures, meaning that Regional State Administrative Agencies have the right to decide on regional restrictions and recommendations with regard to private gatherings based on the recommendations of local Coronavirus Coordination Groups.

The Finnish Commerce Federation and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises require that the authorities swiftly review the restrictions and recommendations on gatherings and communicate their decisions proactively in good time as the epidemiological situation is easing up.

“Now there is a feeling of great uncertainty with regard to the realization of the upcoming festive season. It is important for both families planning festivities and for companies in the service sector that we are able to predict the restrictions and recommendations in force at the end of May and the beginning of June,” says Mikael Pentikäinen, Managing Director of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises.

The Finnish Commerce Federation and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises point out that communicating openly and in a timely manner on lifting restrictions will enable companies to plan more clearly for the future. Anticipatory communications would help the planning of human resources of stores and catering services.

Maintaining a safe business and working environment is equally important, even when restrictions start to be lifted. Companies in the commerce sector will continue to take measures based on the recommendations by the authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as required by the epidemiological situation.

Further information:

Mari Kiviniemi, Managing Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, tel. +358 (0)50 511 3189, mari.kiviniemi(at)kauppa.fi

Mikael Pentikäinen, Managing Director, the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, tel. +358 (0)40 504 1944, mikael.pentikainen(at)yrittajat.fi

The Finnish Commerce Federation represents commerce – the largest sector of economic life. Commerce employs around 270,000 persons in Finland. The Finnish Commerce Federation represents both retail and wholesale commerce in industry politics and labour market lobbying. https://kauppa.fi/en/

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises, which has 115,000 member companies, lobbies for the interests of Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises. Of the member companies, 50,000 are employers. The member companies employ approximately 660,000 people, including entrepreneurs. https://www.yrittajat.fi/en