Kesko's home and specialty goods retail operations, which include the Intersport license and Budget Sport, are involved in a “digital transition” that could involve some form of e-commerce as well as more electronic marketing, said the management of the Finnish group while discussing the results for the first quarter ended March 31. The group's turnover in the home specialty goods trade fell by 9.5 percent to €312 million in the quarter, generating an operating loss of €22.6 million excluding special items, higher than a year ago. Revenues declined by 10.1 percent to €45 million at Intersport Finland and by 26.9 percent to €5 million at Intersport Russia, due in part to a weak winter season. The group's total revenues declined by 1.9 percent to €2,129 million. While the operating profit before extraordinary items improved slightly to €19.1 million, Kesko incurred a pre-tax loss of €14.4 million against a profit of €15.8 million in the same period a year ago. The charges were mainly related to the closure of eight Anttila department stores.

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