Press releases

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.

The over-the-counter medicine reform must strengthen the consumer’s position and correct the distortion of competition

The government is currently preparing the liberalisation of the sale of over-the-counter medicines to improve the accessibility and affordability of medicines. The discussion on the reform has focused on securing the position of pharmacists. The Finnish Commerce Federation would like to highlight both the consumer’s perspective and the importance of competition neutrality.

After two years, online purchases made by Finns started to increase – Driven by foreign online sales 

Last year, online purchases made by Finns from domestic sources increased by two per cent and online purchases made by Finns from abroad grew by nine per cent. Health and cosmetics purchases increased particularly strongly, driven by various global trends and low-price foreign commerce. The share of foreign e-commerce of digital purchases made by Finns is over 37 per cent, while the volume of the domestic online store exports is seven per cent of their turnover. The development of consumer services has been forgotten in the government’s industrial policy.

Agreement reached on labour dispute in commerce sector - Negotiation result approved by the Finnish Commerce Federation and PAM 

Terms of employment and salaries of employees and supervisors in the commerce sector have now been agreed for a three-year period. The agreement period and pay agreement are in accordance with the so-called general policy. The salary increases will be 7.8 per cent over three years. The new collective agreements are valid until 31 January 2028.

Negotiation result for the commerce sector  

Today, on Tuesday, the Finnish Commerce Federation and the Service Union United PAM have reached agreement in the collective agreement and wage negotiations concerning the commerce sector. The solution will be discussed next in the administrations of both unions.  

Growth cannot be achieved without service sectors – quickly effective reduction of labour taxation at the heart of growth measures

Finland’s economic growth needs to be accelerated through the mid-term review's decisions. Service sector organisations are demanding that the government reduce labour taxation and take measures to improve productivity. Economic growth cannot be achieved without private service sectors which already account for more than half of GDP.

Finnish Commerce Federation: PAM’s new strike announcements jeopardise the already negotiated solutions and delay settlement – Now targeting technical trade and specialty goods trade 

On Friday 28 February 2025, Service Union United PAM announced that it will suspend the negotiations over the Collective Agreement for the Commercial Sector. Today, it has announced two-day strikes in technical trade and specialty goods trade for 20 and 21 March 2025. There have been active collective agreement negotiations since 8 January. Common, important goals that have been prepared for a long time, such as the pay system reform for salespeople, have been reached during the negotiations.

PAM’s commerce sector strikes to take place – no prerequisites for an agreement

On Friday 31 January, Service Union United PAM announced massive strikes in the commerce sector. The strikes will particularly target the largest logistics and daily consumer goods trade operators in the commerce sector. The Finnish Commerce Federation has been actively negotiating with PAM under the direction of the National Conciliator since the beginning of February and has sought to find joint solutions to reach a result. However, the parties are still far from a mutual agreement in terms of their objectives. As previously announced, the commerce sector's strikes will begin on Monday, 17 February.