Press releases

The commerce sector’s messages for the budget framework session: Purchasing power and restructuring must be taken into account

The long-running coronavirus pandemic and the military action launched by Russia will have significant negative economic effects, which will be felt in the daily lives of citizens. The commerce sector expects the government's budget framework session to provide solutions that support purchasing power, to promote growth-enhancing regulatory reform, and to take into account all potential and cost-effective energy production methods in response to the prevailing energy security and climate challenges.

Everyone has the right to a safe workplace and services at stores

Today, 21 March, is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which also marks the beginning of the national Week against Racism. The Finnish Commerce Federation hopes that consumers will take into account their own role in promoting the well-being at work of those who work in customer service and in creating a safe environment for those who visit stores.

Price announcement of discounts and offers to change at the end of May 

The new provisions on discounts will enter into force on 28 May and, from that date, consumers will have to be informed, in addition to the discount or offer price of the goods, of the lowest price at which the goods have been sold to consumers in the 30 days preceding the campaign. This requirement does not apply to perishable foods or discounts targeted at a limited number of consumers, such as loyalty programme offers. 

Social security reform would help address the employment mismatch problem

According to the Finnish Commerce Federation, there are serious mismatch problems between the unemployed and vacancies in Finland, and problems in the availability of labour are also a familiar phenomenon in the commerce sector. The reform of the social security system should be accelerated and the incentive traps should be dismantled in order to make it profitable to accept and work every working hour. On Friday, 11 February, the government decided on new employment measures.

Collective agreement for the commerce sector has been established

The Finnish Commerce Federation and the Service Union United PAM reached an understanding on the Collective Agreement for the Commercial Sector late on Tuesday, 1 February 2022. The Finnish Commerce Federation describes the solution as moderate, but also sees that maintaining and developing the competitive strength of the industry will require more extensive, structural reforms in the future.

World market price increase boosts shops’ turnover – employment rate is declining

According to the Finnish Commerce Federation, over the next two years, the increase in turnover in retail trade will be mainly due to the increase in world market prices. The cost of raw materials and energy in particular will lead to higher prices. In the last quarter of last year, the growth in turnover was based solely on the increase in prices. After the pandemic period, employment in the retail sector is expected to decline.  

Enthusiastic about commerce! − The new Kannattavakauppa.fi website compiles information about the positions and study paths in the sector

For most young people, applying for both summer jobs and higher education are the most significant spring-time events. The Finnish Commerce Federation, which represents companies and employers in the commerce sector, will present one of Finland's largest industries in a diverse way on the website Kannattavakauppa.fi, which is designed to attract young people.