130 to lose job, 900 to affect as S-Group starts negotiation talks

About 130 employees will lose job and a total of 900 will be affected as Finnish retail giant SOK of the S-Group is going to start a codetermination talks, said the company in a press release on Tuesday.

The negotiations will begin at SOK on 25 August and are expected to conclude on 15 September 2026.

In addition, the plan includes about 60 new roles. Efforts will be made to offer new roles and other SOK roles to employees whose current roles would end.

As part of implementing S Group’s strategy, SOK (Suomen Osuuskauppojen Keskuskunta) is planning to renew the operations and organisation of grocery trade, non-food retail and specialty retail.

“Competition is global, and customers have entirely new expectations for Finnish retail and its genuine omnichannel capabilities. Our main task as a cooperative retail group is to serve our customer-owners and to continue securing an affordable shopping basket and our cost competitiveness,” said SOK’s CEO Hannu Krook in the press release.