Government report on the future of the retail sector

According to the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, a report is to be prepared on the future of the retail industry, to allow strategic long-term development of the sector.

The future report addresses the ongoing transformation of the retail sector in Finland, and the structural revolution in retail worldwide. The coronavirus pandemic also has a dramatic impact on retail.

The objective of the report is to:

  • identify content areas and themes in the retail sector to be addressed in the context of the retail sector’s transformation and the global and sustainable growth of Finnish retail;
  • provide information on the current situation and trends in the retail sector;
  • prepare development proposals and summaries to support political decision-making for the retail sector’s strategic long-term development; and
  • identify a few scenarios for the sector.

Preparation in collaboration with interest groups

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for preparing the report. The preparation of the report falls under the responsibility of the Minister of Economic Affairs, and work is carried out in cooperation with the Minister of Employment.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment appoints a steering group to support the preparation of the future report. Chaired by Director-General Ilona Lundström from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the steering group consists of the following organisations: Finnish Commerce Federation, Finnish Chamber of Commerce, Consumers’ Union of Finland, Pellervo Coop Center, Service Union United (PAM), Family Business Federation, Central Union for Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, Federation of Finnish Enterprises, Association of Finnish Technical Traders, Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Environment, and Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.

The working group of public officials and experts is chaired by Natalia Härkin, Ministerial Adviser from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and it consists of the following organisations: Aalto University School of Business, University of Tampere, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of the Environment, Business Finland and the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.

Current issues

Press release 10.11.2022: Government report examines the future of Finland’s retail sector  

Inquiries

Natalia Härkin, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 047 168