Political Uncertainty and Grocery Bargains: A Closer Look
Will Prime Minister Petteri Orpo complete his term, or is a shift in leadership on the horizon? As grocery prices continue to rise, many are also eager to find the best times for bargains.
A recent poll conducted by the Helsingin Sanomat reveals growing discontent within the National Coalition Party (NCP) regarding Orpo’s leadership. Alarmingly, a striking 76 percent of NCP supporters expressed a desire for Orpo to face a challenger during the party’s annual conference set for next June. In contrast, only 44 percent believe he should remain in his role as party leader.
The survey indicated that Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is the preferred candidate to succeed Orpo, closely followed by Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. Notably, the NCP is the only major Finnish political party that has yet to see a woman at the helm.
Currently in his fifth term as party leader, Orpo insists he is committed to serving as prime minister through the full term, which is slated to end in spring 2027. Come next summer, he will have led the party for nearly a decade, having taken over from Alexander Stubb in June 2016. Stubb, you might recall, ascended to the presidency last year.
Bargain-hunters Await Evening Discounts
In the realm of grocery shopping, a report from Ilkka-Pohjalainen highlights a growing trend regarding late-evening discounts at grocery stores. Many Finnish retailers have adopted a practice of doubling discounts on perishables nearing their sell-by dates. Traditionally, items marked with a 30-percent discount see even larger reductions later in the evening. However, as shoppers clamor for these deals, some stores have adjusted their discount periods. For example, Minimani has postponed the start of its evening ‘happy hour’ from 8 PM to 10 PM, just an hour before closing.
Jani Havisto, the Commercial Director at Minimani, notes that retailers have improved their systems to minimize the potential waste of perishable goods like fish, meat, and baked items. “It’s been a significant transformation. We’ve seen a major reduction in waste,” he states. Any unsold items by closing time are typically donated, further reducing waste.
Interestingly, many savvy customers now gather their items early in anticipation of the double discount, waiting to check out until the price drop takes effect.
According to Tomi Nordin, who manages a K-Citymarket in Vaasa, “the food industry is increasingly focused on minimizing losses.” Each year, efforts to cut down on food waste are becoming more pronounced, as the UN estimates that food loss contributes an alarming 8-10 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions.
At Nordin’s store, the practice of offering a 50 percent discount on yellow-label products has been a staple since his arrival 15 years ago. Meanwhile, local Prisas offer a 30 percent discount that rises to 60 percent between 8 and 11 PM.
Black Friday: Caution for Shoppers
As Black Friday approaches, a timely advisory from the tabloid Iltalehti reminds bargain-hunters to be vigilant. Harri Nummela, head of retail banking at OP-Pohjola, warns that scam artists often prey on consumers during this shopping frenzy.
The public is cautioned to stay alert for counterfeit online stores masquerading as reputable retailers, which may be designed to phish for personal banking details or solicit payments for nonexistent products. Nummela advises consumers to approach their Black Friday shopping with both caution and patience to avoid turning the day into a “black fraud day.”
Additionally, OP-Pohjola has announced potential disruptions to its digital services over the weekend due to scheduled maintenance, with many services expected to be unavailable from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Nevertheless, basic transactions should proceed smoothly, provided they are made with trustworthy vendors.
As the political landscape shifts and grocery prices rise, one thing is clear: the coming months will be pivotal for both political leadership and savvy shopping strategies in Finland.