Press releases

Development of sales has its risks in the commerce sector – the government must ensure consumers' purchasing power  

The turnover of retail trade decreased by more than three per cent last year. This year, sales are forecast to decrease by about one per cent. Towards the end of the year, improving purchasing power will start to drive up retail business. Driven by international competition, the need to improve productivity and efficiency will continue to be reflected in employment in the commerce sector. It is important that the government considers consumers' purchasing power in its decisions.

Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Commerce Federation: Further action needed to reach reduction target for plastic carrier bags

The Green Deal agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Commerce Federation has reduced the use of plastic carrier bags and thin plastic bags quite rapidly. A recent estimate shows, however, that there has been some growth in the use of plastic carrier bags since 2020 and further actions are needed to reach the reduction targets by 2025.

Pharmaceuticals are more expensive in Finland than in Sweden

On average, non-prescription drugs are 37 per cent cheaper in Sweden than in Finland. Even in prescription drugs, the price difference is in Sweden's favour, especially in general reference price pharmaceuticals. It is clear that by reforming the structures and operations of the distribution of pharmaceuticals and the pharmacy system, it would be possible to both support the purchasing power of Finns and achieve savings in the public economy.

Negotiations on the labour market model were interrupted

Negotiations between the representatives of employers and wage earners on the development of an export-driven labour market model were interrupted on Wednesday, 13 December. The parties to the negotiations included the Finnish Commerce Federation, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, Local Government and County Employers KT, Service Sector Employers Palta, Technology Industry Employers of Finland and the Office for the Government as Employer.

Ollaan ihmisiksi (‘Lets behave ourselves’) campaign starts with a new campaign look – combatting inappropriate behaviour together

The Finnish Commerce Federation's and Service Union United (PAM)'s Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign launches today on 1 December with a new campaign look. The Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign seeks to awaken consumers to think about their own role in enhancing the occupational well-being of salespersons and customer service professionals. There has been an increase in customers’ inappropriate behaviour towards customer service professionals.

Objectives of the Finnish Commerce Federation for the parliamentary term 2024–2029: The next Commission must ensure the competitiveness of European companies in the commerce sector

Commerce is the largest private-sector employer in Europe, with one in seven working-age Europeans working in a company in the commerce sector. The Finnish Commerce Federation has published its objectives for the parliamentary term 2024–2029. Ensuring the operating conditions of European commerce sector companies must be high on the to-do list of the upcoming EU Commission. The objectives are consistently in line with Nordic commerce sector organisations.

Negotiations on the labour market model begin

On Friday, representatives of employers and wage earners launched discussions on the development of an export-driven labour market model. The discussions were convened by the employers’ associations Finnish Commerce Federation, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, Service Sector Employers Palta, Technology Industry Employers of Finland and Local Government and County Employers.