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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 Honorary Award 2017 Infotark AS For long-term work on the Board of the Merchants' Association. 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 Honorary Award 2022 Viru Keskus AS A visionary of the retail world and Board member of the Merchants' Association from 2017 to 2019.
