Retail trade at last year’s level

In the first quarter of 2002 Rautakesko, the building materials and DIY store division of the Finnish Kesko group, recorded a 10.8 per cent decline in sales over the same period last year for a total of € 153 mio. Then in April the division notched up sales of € 81.1 mio, which was again 5.2 per cent more than a year ago. According to a statement from the company, the decline must be put down to the building materials sector for the most part. Retail sales have remained at last year’s level. At the end of the quarter the group operated 46 stores in the K-rauta format and 99 outlets belonging to the Rautia chain.