History

1996

Estonian Merchants' Association

The Merchants' Association was founded on 9 April 1996 by the Founding Assembly. The Statutes were first registered on 16 July 1996 and adopted at the Founding Assembly meeting. The Association was established to represent and protect members' interests in the legislative process, in business development, and in deepening the principles of Good Trade Practice.

Founding Meeting 1996

17 founding members

Tallinna Kaubamaja AS
AS Tartu Kaubamaja
AS Mööblimaja
AS Fanaal
A&G AS
ETK Maksimarketi AS
AS ETK Konsum
Viljandi Tarbijate Ühistu
Keila Tarbijate Ühistu
AS Estiko Kommerts
AS Espak
AS Veneetsia Kaupmees
AS Torupilli Rauakaubad
AS Baltmani rõivad
Baltika Kaubandusgrupi AS
Saaremaa Kaubamaja
Tartu Kaubahall

Chairmen of the Board

Peeter Tohver 1996–2000
Peeter Raudsepp 2000–2002
Urmas Pastarus 2002–2004
Heiti Allmäe 2005–2009
Kati Kusmin 2010–2013
Raul Puusepp 2013–PRESENT

Managing Directors

Juhan Pihlap 1996–1998
Janar Holm 1998–1999
Rudolf Kuldkepp 1999–2000
Marika Merilai 2000–2015
Riin Savi 2015–2017
Nele Peil 2017–PRESENT

Honorary Award Laureates

Peeter Tohver

Peeter Tohver

Honorary Award 2016

Tallinna Kaubamaja Grupp

For a significant contribution to the development and work of the Merchants' Association. Peeter Tohver was the first Chairman of the Board of the Merchants' Association from 1996 to 2000.

Urmas Pastarus

Urmas Pastarus

Honorary Award 2016

Tallinna Kaubamaja AS

For a significant contribution to the development and work of the Merchants' Association. Urmas Pastarus was Chairman of the Merchants' Association from 2000 to 2004.

Jaan Marjundi

Jaan Marjundi

Honorary Award 2016

Coop Harju

For a significant contribution to the development and work of the Merchants' Association. Jaan Marjundi is one of the longest-serving Board members of the Merchants' Association.

Marika Merilai

Marika Merilai

Honorary Award 2016

Merchants' Association

For a significant contribution to the development and work of the Merchants' Association. Marika Merilai led the Merchants' Association from 2000 to 2015.

Kati Kusmin

Kati Kusmin

Honorary Award 2017

Baltika, COOP, Silvano

For long-term work on the Board of the Merchants' Association, including as Chair of the Board from 2010 to 2013.

Jüri Ross

Jüri Ross

Honorary Award 2017

Infotark AS

For long-term work on the Board of the Merchants' Association.

Kai Realo

Kai Realo

Honorary Award 2022

Circle K Eesti AS, P.A.K.

A long-time spokesperson for the retail trade and Board member of the Merchants' Association from 2013 to 2022.

Ants Vasar

Ants Vasar

Honorary Award 2022

Viru Keskus AS

A visionary of the retail world and Board member of the Merchants' Association from 2017 to 2019.