K Group's sales of building and home improvement products in Finland increased by 4.1 per cent, although the company estimates that the total market (VAT 0 per cent) has grown by about 1.1 per cent.
In Norway, net sales in local currency decreased by 0.8 per cent, in Sweden by 6.1 per cent and in Russia by 5.8 per cent. In Sweden, the decrease in net sales was impacted by closures of K-Rauta stores due to the termination of lease agreements, according to the company. In Belarus, on the other hand, net sales grew in local currency by 17.4 per cent.
In particular, the B2B segment of Kesko's building and home improvement trade von Kesko grew overall. Onninen's net sales for 2017 amounted to 1.571 bn euros. In comparable terms, Onninen's net sales grew by 4.5 per cent.