Campaign to recruit one hundred new K-food retailers brings over 500 applications

Kesko Food's campaign to recruit one hundred new K-food retailers was a great success. There were more than 500 applicants to the K-retailer trainee programme in January-February, and nearly one hundred retailer trainees will start the programme during this spring and next autumn.

The TV campaign ”On the lookout for future retailers” ended last week. Soon after the campaign had started, Kesko Food had had over one hundred contacts, and by the end of February the number of applicants had exceeded 500. Nearly half of them will be interviewed, and the first of those elected to the K-retailer trainee programme will start the training this spring.

Around half of the applicants are women and half are men. The most common educational background is basic commercial training. Most of the applicants have graduated either from commercial college, polytechnic or school of economics.

Before the K-food retailers-to-be qualify as entrepreneurs their competencies and skills are ensured in the K-retailer trainee programme. Depending on the background and experience of the recruited person, the programme contains theory and practical work and lasts from six months to two years. The K-instituutti is responsible for theoretical training, while practical training takes place in a K-food store under the guidance of an experienced food retailer.

In accordance with Kesko Food's new strategy definition, all K-food stores and service stations with food stores will be run by retailers, so there will be a considerable need for K-retailer trainees in the near future. In recent years, some 50–60 new K-food retailers have started a career every year.

Further information:
Training Manager Matti Vornanen, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 28464, or +358 500 813 025
Development Director Jarmo Salovirta, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22408, or +358 500 605 922