Wholesale & Retail

Wholesale & Retail

The wholesale and retail sector serves everyone: every consumer and every company uses wholesale and retail services and has their own expectations for those services. Someone buying a new car wants a dazzling buying experience, whereas someone buying a week’s worth of groceries values quick basic service—both in store and online. Business customers on the other had want their needs to be anticipated and value close cooperation to support their operations.

Success also takes efficiency. This can be seen in the concentration and internationalisation of the sector as well as in the proliferation cooperation arrangements. Technology and data are increasingly being leveraged to find that efficiency. Companies are automating their logistics and are developing new service models guided by diverse data streams, for example, data collected from loyal customer programmes. Technology is even altering the deep structures of the sector as the EU’s digital internal markets are developing.

We know the legal issues facing the wholesalers and retailers, from traditionally important personnel issues to data protection and technology. We can also provide you with boutique services, for example, in contractual issues and cooperation arrangements.

Latest references

Castren & Snellman Ebrands funding round
We assisted eBrands Holdings Oy in its latest funding round, during which the company raised 7.5 million euros. The new funding brings the company’s total raised capital to 50 million euros. The latest funding round was mainly led by the family investment company Veikko Laine, Varma Pension Fund, and operational shareholders. The funding will be used to develop eBrands’ AI-based Apollo market growth tool, which helps brands expand into sixty different markets and sales channels without local infrastructure or heavy investments. eBrands is an export platform that grows consumer brands globally through e-commerce and major retail channels. Specializing in the US and European markets, eBrands enables brands to internationalize with an export service model that reduces the risk and complexity associated with expansion by leveraging advanced technology. Founded in 2020, the Helsinki-based company’s team includes 75 people, and the company’s revenue exceeds 35 million euros.
Case published 11.3.2025
We advised Tokmanni Group Corporation, one of Finland’s largest retail trade companies, as the borrower in a EUR 325 million financing arrangement it entered into with a syndicate of Nordic banks. The financing arrangement includes a EUR 250 million bank loan and EUR 75 million revolving credit facility, which will be used for the purposes of refinancing existing debt and general corporate purposes. The financing arrangement has a maturity of three years with two one-year extension options.
Case published 22.1.2025
We advised Helkama-Autokauppa Oy in the acquisition of the Škoda dealerships in Helsinki and Tampere from Hedin Automotive Finland. Helkama-Autokauppa Oy operates as an independent dealer in the dealer network of Helkama-Auto Oy, the Finnish importer of Škoda cars, spare parts and accessories.
Case published 3.12.2024
We successfully acted as the lead external counsel for Citycon Plc in an arrangement whereby Citycon outsourced its Nordic Accounting and Lease Administration operations and related workforce in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia to Staria Plc. The outsourcing is expected to take place as of 1 August 2024. With this outsourcing arrangement, Citycon aims to align the size and capabilities of the company’s finance organisation with its future development, ensuring it can adapt to meet the company’s needs at any given time. During the assignment, we assisted Citycon in drafting the necessary contract documentation and planning the contract negotiations and timetable. We led the outsourcing agreement negotiations and advised Citycon on employee transfer and data privacy related matters. We also coordinated legal advice for other in-scope countries. Citycon is the leading owner and developer of urban hubs in the Nordics and Baltics. Citycon’s 33 mixed-use, necessity-based centres are located in the major cities in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia. Citycon transforms unique locations into sustainable communities and cities full of life, serving 140 million people each year and delivering long-term share value. Citycon brings value to communities by developing urban hubs for living, working, socialising and shopping. Citycon has extensive experience as an urban developer and uses its expertise in creating mixed-use centres that include retail, offices, hotels, housing, food & beverage as well as healthcare, culture and leisure services.
Case published 13.5.2024