New K-rauta store in Eskilstuna, Sweden

Rautakesko opens a new K-rauta in Eskilstuna, Sweden on Thursday, 29 January 2009. The store has a staff of around 40. For Rautakesko, the Eskilstuna outlet represents a long-term investment and confidence in the future of the store is strong despite recession.

The total sales area of the new store, including the builders' yard, exceeds 10,000 m2, of which 5,000 m2 are heated space. The product range comprises some 20,000 stocked items and a large selection of products supplied to order.

"We found an extremely good location in Eskilstuna. There are a large number of one-family houses in and around the town. New house-building has now decreased significantly but, on the other hand, an increasing number of customers are interested in interior decoration and home improvement. This will open up new opportunities. For example, the domestic help credit is SEK 50,000 in Sweden. Now many customers rather spend, say, SEK 40,000 on renovating their homes and increasing their values than on some other investment," says Jani Jylhä, Managing Director of K-rauta AB in Sweden.

The Eskilstuna store is the 20th K-rauta in Sweden. A new K-rauta will also be opened in Halmstad in the spring.

Further information:
Managing Director Jani Jylhä, K-rauta AB, tel. +46 70 431 6960
Executive Vice Presdient Seppo Hämäläinen, Rautakesko Ltd, tel. +358 1053 20810

K-rauta stores (www.k-rauta.com) meet the customer demand for safe ideas and solutions for building and living. K-rauta stores operate in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and Russia.

Rautakesko (www.rautakesko.com) is engaged in the building and home improvement trade through the K-rauta, Rautia, Byggmakker, Senukai and K-maatalous retail chains. Rautakesko manages its chains, combines their purchasing power, arranges efficient logistics, acquires store sites and guarantees strong marketing and development support to the stores. Rautakesko operates in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.