Kesko Oyj is a Finnish retailing conglomerate specializing in grocery trade, building and home improvement trade, and car and machinery trade. The company operates through three strategic business divisions: K-food stores, which include supermarkets and hypermarkets offering daily groceries and household items; K-rauta and Byggmakker outlets carrying building materials, tools, and interior decoration products; and K-Auto dealerships representing leading automotive brands and providing related services such as maintenance and spare parts.
Beyond its core retail operations, Kesko also supplies agricultural and professional customers with seeds, fertilizers, crop protection products and machinery under its K-Maatalous and K-Market Agriculture banners. The company’s logistical network is supported by several distribution centers across the Nordics and the Baltics, ensuring efficient product flow to its more than 1,500 outlets. Kesko’s geographic footprint extends primarily across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, reflecting its strong position in Northern European markets.
Founded in 1940 as Osuusliike Keskusosuusliike, Kesko has evolved from a cooperative wholesale operation into one of Finland’s largest listed companies. It was demutualized and listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 2006, marking a milestone in its corporate history. As of the latest available information, the company is led by President and CEO Mikko Helander, who has overseen strategic initiatives focusing on digitalization, sustainability and supply chain optimization. The board is chaired by Antti Herlin, a long-standing figure in Finnish industry. Under this leadership, Kesko continues to pursue growth opportunities while emphasizing responsible retailing and environmental stewardship.
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