In our fast-paced world, grocery shoppers are increasingly multitasking—embracing a dual role as they navigate the aisles.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has arrived in Beijing at a fortuitous time for his hosts. As former President Donald Trump‘s policies continue to strain relationships, Chinese President Xi Jinping appears ready to capitalize on new opportunities, as suggested by Helsingin Sanomat.
In an interview with Ilta-Sanomat, Orpo emphasized that discussions will center on energy, the circular economy, and the import of Finnish meat, particularly pork.
“The battery industry serves as a prime example of a sector where China dominates both technology and market presence,” he observed. “Thus, it’s not only acceptable but beneficial for Chinese firms to invest in Finland’s evolving battery sector.”
Finland and China forged a strategic partnership approximately a decade ago, and Orpo expressed optimism that this visit could bolster commercial ties even further.
However, he acknowledged that China maintains a highly protectionist stance. “Finland is committed to ensuring that trade operates on equal and fair terms,” he stated during the interview.
A Fond Farewell to Café Cru
This past weekend, Helsingin Sanomat took a moment to visit Cru, a beloved eatery in Espoo, before it closed its doors for good.
Owners Julia and Matti Auf der Mauer attributed the restaurant’s closure to the rising financial burdens imposed by the state and pension providers. They pointed out that increased value-added tax rates and mandatory pension contributions had rendered the business unsustainable.
Last autumn, the Western Uusimaa District Court declared the restaurant bankrupt at the behest of the pension insurer Varma.
“The climb in pension contributions has become excessive, and wholesalers have significantly raised their prices, making it all too difficult to operate,” Julia lamented.
In 2024, the government raised the general rate of value-added tax from 24% to 25.5%. While the tax on restaurant food remained steady at 14%—one of the highest in Europe—it has since seen a minor reduction to 13.5% as of the new year.
“If policymakers genuinely wish to support independent entrepreneurs and non-chain restaurants in Finland, they must reconsider the VAT rates and make pension contributions voluntary,” she urged.
A New Checkout Experience
Imagine fulfilling the role of a checkout cashier: it may soon be a thing of the past. According to Kauppalehti, Finnish consumers are increasingly taking on this responsibility themselves.
A significant transformation is sweeping through Finnish supermarkets. S Group and Lidl are spearheading this movement, with K Group set to launch its own mobile scanning system shortly.
Lidl has recently introduced an innovative smartphone app that allows shoppers to scan their groceries directly as they fill their bags.
With the rise of mobile scanning technology, shopping becomes more seamless, allowing customers to scan and bag items while they navigate the aisles.