Year: 2025

A lack of competence is slowing down the growth of companies in the service sector

The growth in the number of personnel in the service sectors has slowed. According to the joint Service sector skill survey of the Finnish Commerce Federation, Service Sector Employers Palta and the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, recruitment difficulties have eased for a while, but the declining age groups of people of working age are also creating challenges in the service sectors. The most common challenge in recruitment is the mismatch between competence and the needs of the company.

At the Osaava kauppa academy, companies and training providers are building the future of commerce

The new Osaava kauppa academy is a network where companies and training providers in the commerce sector can share information and competence to improve the development and attractiveness of the sector. The academy is coordinated by the Finnish Commerce Federation, Business College Helsinki, Mercuria Business College, Perho Culinary, Tourism & Business College and Raseko Vocational College.

The measures proposed by the Commission are insufficient – the processing fee will not solve the problems of online marketplaces

The European Commission has proposed the introduction of a processing fee of two euros to the member states as part of a customs reform that would only enter into force at the end of the decade. 4.6 billion parcels flow from online marketplaces to the EU market, a significant proportion of which do not meet the requirements of EU regulation. The proposed processing fee will not change the current situation.

The cosmetics market is growing worldwide – Finland has export potential in natural cosmetics

Last year, the consumer market for cosmetics* in Finland reached nearly EUR 1.4 billion. However, growth in the coming years will be slower than international development. Export potential for Finnish brands and online stores could be found, for example, in the rapid growth of the world market for natural cosmetics. Another international trend is the increasing use of men’s cosmetics. In Finland, men’s use of cosmetics is mainly limited to dental care and cleanliness, but the increasing use of perfumes, for example, can also be seen here.

Finnish Commerce Federation for the Government's mid-term review:  Reducing the taxation of earned income and opening up the market to accelerate economic growth 

The Finnish Commerce Federation proposes measures to promote economic growth in the Government’s mid-term review. The federation emphasises reducing the taxation at all income levels and demands equal competitive conditions for online stores in relation to operators outside the EU. In addition, the federation proposes reforming regulations and promoting investments to support economic growth. 

Statement: Securing the future of vocational adult training

The Education Committee of the Finnish Commerce Federation and the Service Union United PAM are concerned about the impact of the cuts in vocational adult training and apprenticeships on the availability of skilled labour. Businesses and unions emphasise that our vocational training cannot withstand further cuts. Vocational degrees are essential for businesses and employees in the commerce sector from the point of view of the development of work tasks and competence.

Survey: Many domestic online stores are expecting international growth – competence and lack of funding are slowing them down

According to the Verkkokauppapulssi survey by Digital Commerce Finland, the Federation of Finnish Special Commodity Trade ETU and the Finnish Commerce Federation, the majority of online stores believe that their business will strengthen, especially in the domestic market, but international growth is also seen as a promising opportunity. However, the lack of competence and resources is slowing down the growth prospects.