Kesko to establish a new home technology chain: Konebox combines store and web expertise
Kesko introduces an increasingly easy way for consumers to shop for home technology. The new, domestic Konebox store chain combines the best aspects of online and traditional stores. The customer can choose to shop either in the store or on the Internet and pick up the products at the store or have them delivered to his or her home door.
Konebox competes in the home technology market with quality products, good product availability and low prices. Efficient logistics and warehousing combined with e-commerce self-service guarantee low prices.
"Konebox leverages Kesko's long-standing experience and expertise in the home technology trade. Our aim has been to build an easy-to-use online store which appeals, above all, to price-conscious consumers who value easy and fast shopping. All purchases from Konebox also accrue K-Plussa points," says Jussi Mikkola, President of Musta Pörssi Ltd.
The product range of the new store chain covers all areas of home technology: information technology, mobile phones, entertainment electronics and household appliances, and related accessories. The online product range can also be quickly expanded to comprise new product groups.
Increased reliability of online trading
Online shopping is estimated to increase annually by more than 20 percent in Finland during the next few years. According to Jussi Mikkola, online sales of home technology are currently growing at a much higher rate than traditional sales.
One of the factors that have been slowing the growth of online sales most is consumer caution, and the familiar, domestic owner of Konebox for its part contributes to increasing consumer confidence.
"There is a clear need in the market for a Finnish home technology online store that provides safe and reliable shopping. It is also important that customer service, guarantee issues and other possible things are conducted flexibly in the Finnish language," says Mikkola.
The business model of Konebox differs clearly from that of Musta Pörssi, the K-Group's speciality store chain for home technology, and together the two make an effective pair.
The largest online store of Kesko is NetAnttila (www.netanttila.com), an online department store. NetAnttila also operates in Estonia (www.anttila.ee) and Latvia (www.anttila.lv). Kesko's other online stores include Kodin Ykkönen (www.kodin1.com) specialising in home and interior decoration items, CM-store (www.cm-store.fi) selling music, and K-maatalous (www.k-maatalous.fi) focusing on the agricultural trade.
Further information:
President Jussi Mikkola, tel. +358 1053 40940, jussi.mikkola@kesko.fi
www.konebox.fi
Konebox Friisilä
Kuitinmäentie 27
FI-02240 Espoo
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations inthe Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.
