Kesko news

Finland's Kesko has grown its market share by 5% since 2014 and doubled its operating margin since that time too. Its hypermarkets and supermarkets account for 60% of grocery sales. As is the case in much of Europe, Kesko’s large stores have outperformed other physical store channels during the pandemic. Hypermarket sales grew by 13% in 2020, while supermarket sales increased by 9%. K-Citym...

In 2020, despite the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was significant format innovation in the Nordics, especially so in Sweden. This theme has continued into 2021, with several new concepts launching so far this year already. Last month, we published an exclusive article, 10 Nordic stores to visit in 2021 . We described that the region offers something for everyone to be inspi...

In our recent Western European outlook 2021 article, we highlighted ‘Stepping up on sustainability’ as one of five trends that we expect to shape grocery retail in 2021. This is especially the case in the Nordics, where sustainability remains at the heart of retailer strategies despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the World Economic Forum in Davos revealed the Global 100 Most Sustainable ...

As 2021 begins, we can reflect that 2020 didn’t play out as we might have expected. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led companies to reflect on their priorities and focus on shorter time scales. In this article, we consider five key themes we expect to shape retailers’ strategy in 2021 and share videos of this in practice. 1. Drive for value Delivering value has been a defining tr...

Finland's Kesko has grown its market share by 5% since 2014 and has doubled its operating margin during the same period. In this article, we share insight and videos from its recent virtual Capital Markets Day on what’s driving its outperformance and its strategic priorities. Six key market trends President and CEO Mikko Helander began the Capital Markets Day event by highlighting that Ke...

We highlight case studies from the Nordics where retailers have been fundraising for a key cause during October and November. Themed private label products, donating a percentage of product turnover and encouraging shoppers to donate are among the tactics used. 1. Sweden: ICA raises €5.5m for the Pink Ribbon campaign with themed private label, bracelets and donations Source: ICA I...

As retailers across the Nordics invest in foodservice opportunities in-store, out of store and online, we share some of the latest innovations from Finland. 1. Europe’s biggest sushi seller and country’s biggest venue in new partnership Kesko K-Citymarket Järvenpää, which won the IGD Store of the Year award 2019 claims to be Europe’s biggest sushi seller, selling thousands of kilograms...

Three developments from retailers in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark as they look to build their online and digital skill and scale. Sweden: ICA’s test for unmanned stores In collaboration with innovation hub ICAx and the Värmland region, ICA Nära Silleurd is the first among the larger chains to test an unstaffed store. Having begun in December 2019, the test will end on February 29, 2020. It ...

Finland’s Market Court has announced its decision to block Kesko’s acquisition of Heinon Tukku. Acquisition announced in May 2019 The retailer revealed its intention to purchase the wholesale business, in May 2019, from family-owned company Tukkuheino Oy and private individuals. Commenting on the decision, President of Kesko’s grocery trade division, Ari Akseli, said: “Naturally, we woul...

Finland-based Kesko reported sales through its grocery trade subsidiary rose 2.7% in total in 2019, to €5.5 bn. It said on a comparable basis, sales rose 3.2%, while its operating profit advanced by €33.4m to €327.9m for the year. Kesko highlighted how the results were driven by its continued adherence to the strategy it set out in 2015 ‘ and its successful execution ’. Success ‘ founded on go...