Finnish retail giant Kesko will open three new K-Citymarket hypermarkets in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The expansion will bring large-format stores to Helsinki's Kalasatama district, Vantaa's Tikkurila, and Espoo's city center.
Kesko confirmed the locations in a recent announcement. The new stores will occupy spaces in Redi shopping center in Kalasatama, Tikkuri shopping center in Tikkurila, and Espoontori shopping center in Espoon keskus.
In Kalasatama, food offerings will remain in the current K-Supermarket location. Household goods will move one floor up to the ground level of Redi shopping center.
Construction timelines vary across locations. The Kalasatama store could open between 2027 and 2028, though plans remain preliminary. Vantaa's construction may begin in the latter half of the decade, pending zoning approvals. Espoo has already started building work, with a potential opening in late 2028.
Kesko invests 200-250 million euros annually to strengthen its retail network. The company focuses expansion efforts on growth centers and urban environments.
Mika Sivula, Kesko's Southern Finland regional director, explained the strategy in a statement. He said the significant reinforcement of their hypermarket network responds to urbanization trends and growing customer demand in the capital region.
This expansion signals Kesko's continued bet on physical retail in Finland's most populated area. While many retailers struggle with online competition, the company appears confident that large-format stores still attract urban shoppers.
The Helsinki region continues to see substantial population growth, making it a logical focus for retail investment. These new stores will compete with existing Prisma and Lidl locations throughout the metropolitan area.