Press releases

Due to the rapidly advancing coronavirus pandemic, the authorities are required to implement flexible actions appropriate to the demands of the situation. Infectious disease allowance practices must be streamlined by utilising occupational health care. In addition to restaurants and events, speciality shops are extensively affected by the restrictions. There is still a need for support measures.

The number of people who are regularly buying daily consumer goods online has more than doubled compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Families with children, in particular, buy their daily consumer goods online more frequently than others, and they are also more interested in trying it out. With new companies and new practices, competition in online grocery shopping has really just begun.

It is necessary to invest in the vitality of city centres throughout the country, and the Finnish Commerce Federation and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises require that promoting the vitality of city centres be made a priority for the work of the new city councils. The coronavirus pandemic has slowed movement in city centres down and deprived speciality goods trade stores of vital customer flows. This phenomenon is also influenced by a longer-term trend that is boosted by the growth of e-commerce and the increasing practice of remote working.

The Finnish Commerce Federation's and Service Union United (PAM)'s Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign prompts consumers to reflect on their role in promoting the occupational well-being of retailers and other customer service workers. The communications effort launched today is again timed to coincide with the busy Christmas season. The message of an already traditional campaign is not outdated – on the contrary.  

Hannu Krook, the Executive Director and Chair of the Board of SOK Corporation, was elected Chair of the Board of the Finnish Commerce Federation in 2022. Mikko Helander, President and CEO of Kesko Oyj, continues as Vice-Chair.