Day: February 8, 2023

Commerce sector sales are decreasing – incentive traps are also causing headaches

According to a recent forecast by the Finnish Commerce Federation, the volume of retail trade sales* will shrink by roughly two per cent this year, and the increase in turnover in euros will be driven solely by rising costs and prices. Cost competition in the sector is accelerating, and the number of employed people is decreasing. However, when there is also a shortage of skilled labour, fierce cost competition does not promote the development of the sector in the international competitive environment. From the point of view of the growth of the entire national economy, including commerce, it is important for the future government to secure the availability of skilled labour.