FINLAND’S BIGGEST K-RAUTA HARDWARE STORE OPENED
K-rauta Vantaanportti opened at Pakkala, Vantaa is a department store for hardware products. Items related with each other are displayed together in the store. Within the next few years, Kesko will reform all K-rauta stores in line with the new concept. Before the year end, a total of eight completely new outlets, replacements, or considerably extended K-rauta hardware stores are to be opened. The new K-rauta Vantaanportti pays special attention to in-store signs and customer service. The retailer couple are Susanne and Mikael Åstrand, and their staff consists of 70 persons.
The K-rauta Vantaanportti store houses 10 000 m2 of heated store space, 2 500 m2 of storage shelters and a greenery and garden shop of 1 300 m2. The selections include a total of over
30 000 items. Long opening hours make for flexible shopping: 7-21 on weekdays and 8-18 on Saturdays. A new type of service is provided for professionals and building customers by way of a direct entrance from the cash and carry area and a separate in-store service point. The ease of loading and a separate check-out facilitate shopping visits in the cash and carry area. The new K-rauta store also houses a cafeteria for customers to have a rest and watch home renovation tips etc. on the in-store TV.
The FIM 80 million investment in K-rauta Vantaanportti is the most important store site project this year for Kesko Hardware and Builders’ Supplies. The K-rauta hardware store chain consists of 123 outlets in Finland and 8 in Sweden. In addition to the existing personnel, the K-rauta stores to be renovated and opened in Finland this year will employ over 100 new staff. The objective in Sweden is to establish a network of 25 outlets within the next five years, mainly through own new construction.
In the middle of the K-rauta Vantaanportti store, there is a large display area with complete kitchens, bathrooms, saunas, vestibule and storage solutions, as well as fireplaces, light fittings and other home fixtures. The selections of interior decoration, home furnishing, housing, lighting and garden products in particular have been expanded. This new hardware department store serves housebuilders, home renovators, interior decorators, gardening hobbyists, as well as professionals.
The K-rauta Vantaanporttti store is located at Silvastintie 2. The parking area has space for 350 cars. The retailing couple Susanne and Mikael Åstrand took over the new outlet after running the Vantaankosken K-rauta store. The contractor of the project was SRV Viitoset Oy and the architecht agency was Innovarch Oy. The real estate is owned by Kesko.
For further information:
Retailer Mikael Åstrand, GSM +358 400 909 006.
Jorma Mykrä, Sales Director of Kesko Hardware and Builders’ Supplies, GSM +358 500 333 710.
