Kesko is expanding its grocery network in central Helsinki with a new K-Supermarket planned for the Kaartin Lasaretti development, with opening targeted for summer 2028.
The new store will bring more than 1,800 square metres of selling space to the Lönnrotinkatu side of the development and is intended to serve both local residents and customers moving through Helsinki city centre.
Kesko said it had been looking for a suitable location for a larger food store in southern Helsinki for some time. The Kaartin Lasaretti site was selected as a strong fit because of its central location and the demand for a broader grocery offer in the area.
The development is significant for Finland’s highly concentrated grocery market, where K Group is one of the two dominant national operators. Grocery Trade News ranks K Group second in its Finland supermarket groups analysis, behind S Group and ahead of Lidl Finland.
According to Kesko, the new supermarket will be located on the basement level of the Kaartin Lasaretti block, with customer access from street level. Plans also include close to 50 customer parking spaces in a parking facility connected to the development.
Kesko’s Director of Store Sites, Mika Sivula, said the group had been searching for a new large-format grocery location in southern Helsinki and sees Kaartin Lasaretti as an important addition to local services.
“Our goal is to build a better-than-usual grocery store that, thanks to its central location, serves both nearby residents and customers moving through the city centre,” Sivula said.
Construction work on the wider Kaartin Lasaretti development began in summer 2026. Kesko is developing the new K-Supermarket in cooperation with the property owner and HGR Property Partners, which is responsible for the development of the block.
The retailer has not yet named the future K-Supermarket merchant, and the precise opening date remains unconfirmed. Kesko said those details will be announced closer to the planned 2028 opening.
The project adds to Kesko’s wider investment in Finland’s grocery estate. The group has continued to invest in new stores, refurbishments and price competitiveness across K-Citymarket, K-Supermarket and K-Market.
Kesko’s second-quarter 2026 reporting showed K Group grocery sales up 4.3%, with all grocery chains gaining market share in their respective store-size segments. K-Supermarket recorded the strongest increase during the period.
That makes the Kaartin Lasaretti project more than a single store opening. It reflects Kesko’s continued push to strengthen its position in urban grocery retail, particularly in areas where larger full-range supermarkets remain underrepresented.
For suppliers, new stores of this size can also create additional listing and promotional opportunities across fresh food, private label, branded grocery and convenience-led categories once the final assortment and operator are confirmed.
The new K-Supermarket is currently expected to open in summer 2028, with further details on the merchant, exact opening date and store concept to follow.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a Kesko/K Group announcement published on 21 September 2026. Additional market context was checked against Kesko’s 2026 financial reporting and Grocery Trade News’ existing Finland supermarket coverage.
