Finnish Commerce Federation and Finnish Grocery Trade Association: There must be investment in safety and preparedness work in the next electoral term

The security environment of commerce has weakened rapidly in recent years. Disturbing and violent situations and shoplifting have increased significantly, which has weakened the safety of both customers and staff and increased the costs of companies.

According to the Finnish Commerce Federation and the Finnish Grocery Trade Association, improving the weakened store safety requires resources for preventive work that can address the root causes of the problem. Preventing the social exclusion and substance abuse of young people and providing early support to children and families are safety measures that reduce disruptive behaviour in society and strengthen the safety of everyday life in the long term.

“The commerce sector and individual companies are constantly working to ensure the safety of employees and customers, but we cannot correct the causes of the increase in crime and the ever increasing amount of disruptive and violent behaviour with our own actions alone,” says Kari Luoto, Managing Director of the Finnish Commerce Federation.

In addition to preventive measures, there is a need for securing official resources, smooth cooperation between the authorities and the economy, and legislation that gives stores effective means to address violations. The associations consider it important that the current government is moving forward with the company restraining order issued by the court for companies. The change in legislation gives stores a new way to address repeated threatening and disruptive behaviour.

“However, this alone is not enough. Strengthening safety requires a broader approach that addresses both violations and their underlying causes,” says Luoto.

Security of supply is built on functioning commerce

The significance of functioning commerce is emphasised especially in exceptional circumstances. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has shown how important it is to ensure the availability of products needed every day, even in crisis situations.

“The preparedness of companies, reliable distribution chains and the vitality of a nationwide store network must be developed in the long term. Particular attention should be paid to the operating conditions of stores in sparsely populated areas, which are continually weakened by the requirements of legislation and the costs caused by them,” says Tuula Loikkanen, Managing Director of the Finnish Grocery Trade Association.

The preservation of an extensive store network could be promoted by, for example, opening up markets and reducing the administrative burden on companies.

The associations would like to remind that safe commerce is part of the stability of everyday life, security of supply and the crisis resilience of society as a whole. Therefore, the focus on safety and the continuity of operations must be continued in the next electoral term.

Further information:

Kari Luoto, Managing Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, kari.luoto@kauppa.fi, tel. +358 400 688 708

Tuula Loikkanen, Managing Director, Finnish Grocery Trade Association, tuula.loikkanen@pty.fi, tel. +358 40 922 0750

On 21 September 2026, the Finnish Commerce Federation, the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs, Federation of Finnish Special Commodity Trade ETU, the Finnish Grocery Trade Association and the Finnish Technical Trade Federation will organise a discussion event in Turku as part of a series of nationwide Commerce is the key to growth discussion events. The event will examine the role of commerce as a driver of growth, investments, employment and security of supply across the country.