Year: 2023

Finland is one of the world's leading second-hand markets

The Finnish Commerce Federation estimates that the total market size of circular trade in Finland is approximately EUR 895 million. The largest segment of circular trade, C2C e-commerce, has almost doubled since 2015. The growth of peer trading also brings new business opportunities for Finnish commerce businesses. According to the Finnish Commerce Federation, RDI funding directed at commerce businesses would develop circular economy ecosystems and innovations and thus accelerate the green transition even further.

The number of persons employed in commerce decreases

The retail sector sales volume* will decrease by around 3.5 per cent this year, and the growth next year will be modest. Commerce investments are also declining. In 2023–2024, the number of people employed in the retail sector will decrease by a total of nearly 4 per cent from 2022. In its labour market reforms, the Government also needs to take into account the employment in consumer services.

The Government Programme’s main policies strengthen economic growth and employment – more ambition is needed in dismantling monopolies 

The Finnish Commerce Federation considers the main policies of the Government Programme to be successful, especially with regard to decisions that strengthen economic growth and employment. However, in structural reforms concerning the dismantling of monopolies, the Government Programme’s policies fall short. The Finnish Commerce Federation hopes that the Government continue determinedly on the path towards a more European operating environment. 

Urban planning in Helsinki city centre lacks a coherent vision and input from business owners

The Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, the Finnish Commerce Federation and Helsingin Yrittäjät, as well as several businesses, appeal to the City of Helsinki to genuinely involve businesses in the development of the city centre. Instead of relying on individual projects, the City of Helsinki should implement a comprehensive and coherent plan to revitalise the city centre and improve the standards for business impact analysis.

The EU Commission proposes to abolish the duty-free regime – it will become more expensive to order small goods from outside the EU  

The European Commission proposes to abolish the duty-free regime for online stores outside the EU as of 1 March 2028. The abolition of the duty-free regime would impact consumers, as ordering low-value small goods from outside the EU would become more expensive in the future. Finnish stores would benefit from the removal of the duty-free regime, as the unfair competitive advantage for companies outside the EU would disappear. The abolition of the duty-free regime would also effectively address fraud.    

Finnish Commerce Federation and Service Union United PAM: A store restraining order enables a safe business and work environment in the commerce sector

The Finnish Commerce Federation and the Service Union United PAM propose to the incoming Orpo government the introduction of a store restraining order, a so-called company restraining order. PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation consider that, in addition to private persons, companies should also be able to seek a restraining order against persons who continuously cause disturbances.

A new playbook gives companies information on how to accelerate the circular economy  

A new playbook ‘Circular Economy in Consumer Trade’ offers companies in the retail sector information, solutions and examples of how to introduce and implement the sale, rental, maintenance and repair of used products in brick-and-mortar shops and online stores and platforms. The retail sector plays an important role in enabling people to make sustainable consumer choices.