Press releases

Digital commerce study module continued at five universities

The Digital commerce study module, which was launched as a joint project between the Finnish Commerce Federation and five universities, will be continued in the study offer of the universities and will be available to university degree students and open university students until spring 2025. The Finnish Commerce Federation will continue to coordinate the study module, and the universities will continue to be responsible for teaching. The study module supports commerce sector companies in their struggle with the deepening shortage of professionals.

The growth of domestic e-commerce has stopped – digital consumerism is changing

The growth of domestic e-commerce, which had continued for more than 10 years, stopped last year while purchases from other EU countries increased. Overall, Finns' online purchases decreased by about six per cent from the previous year. Even though the extra boost in growth brought by the pandemic has now passed, online shopping was still one third more popular than before the pandemic. As online shopping has become more common, the number of product returns has increased.

Service sectors: Labour needs of the future must be addressed now

Finland's development into a vibrant and modern service society is slowed down by an increasing shortage of skilled labour. In order to ensure the availability of skilled labour, the next government should tackle these three topics: Improving of low incentives to work, increasing of labour immigration and improving of the quality and quantity of education and training.

Agreement reached on labour dispute in commerce sector – negotiation result accepted and strikes cancelled

Terms of employment of employees and supervisors in the commerce sector have now been agreed for a two-year period. The agreement increases wages by EUR 105 from 1 June 2023 and by EUR 60 from 1 June 2024. In addition, a one-time sum of EUR 400 will be paid to commerce sector employees in connection with the payment of wages in April, of which EUR 200 can also be paid in connection with the payment of wages in September 2023. The agreement is in line with the so-called general policy.   

Negotiations in the commerce sector

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

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.