Press release 17.11.2023
On 16 November, the general meeting of the Estonian Merchants' Association elected a new 12-member board of the Association in a regular vote. Raul Puusepp of Tallinna Kaubamaja Group continues as chairman of the board, a role he has held for ten years.
Raul Puusepp, chairman of the board of the Merchants' Association, confirmed that the Merchants' Association is one of the most active trade associations and, as the official representative of retailers, takes part in the legislative process at both the Estonian and European levels. "The companies belonging to the Merchants' Association employ 26,000 people and pay nearly 500 million euros in state taxes each year. We are a partner to state institutions, and the managing director of the Merchants' Association was this year elected in Brussels as chair of the environmental committee of the European retail sector's umbrella organisation. Our reach is broad, and that gives us a responsibility to help safeguard Estonia's competitiveness and improve the living environment," Puusepp noted.
The 12 members elected to the board of the Merchants' Association are: Raul Puusepp (Tallinna Kaubamaja Group), Kairi Toom (Astri Group), Kristel Mets (Rimi Eesti Food), Heinar Põldma (Põldma Kaubandus), Erkki Laugus (Kaubamaja), Bruno Lauri (Pro Optika), Liina Kippasto (Lidl), Kristi Lomp (Selver AS), Teemu Kilpiä (Prisma Peremarket), Kristjan Maaroos (Kristiine Centre), Jaan Marjundi (Coop Harju TÜ) and Rainer Rohtla (Coop Eesti Keskühistu). The new board's term lasts two years.
The Merchants' Association was founded in 1996 to represent and protect the interests of its members in the legislative process, in business development and in advancing the principles of Good Trade Practice. The Merchants' Association has nearly 60 members. The retail companies in the Association hold 80% of the food and everyday consumer goods market and over 40% of the total retail market. The Association's membership also includes market leaders in clothing, building materials, electronics and other product segments, leading wholesalers, shopping centres and other major companies operating in the retail sector.