People are buying more industrial goods online than in stores. This affects large hypermarkets, where industrial goods make up a significant portion of sales.
Online stores have taken away a share of industrial goods sales from hypermarkets. For example, people are buying coffee machines, towels, socks, and children's clothing from Germany or the Netherlands. These goods are easy to order, and price offers are easy to compare.
Hypermarkets are suffering as a result. People prefer smaller stores. Supermarkets are more popular because customers appreciate the large selection of food products.
There are many stores in Estonia. For example, new stores are opening in Keila. Rimi is opening a new supermarket there. Additionally, Lidl and Coop are coming. The manager of Rimi is confident that competition is not a threat but an opportunity.
When there are too many stores, it becomes difficult to compete. For example, there is intense competition in hardware stores. Rimi is also closing some stores if they are not performing well.
The manager of Rimi says it is important to make profitable decisions. Competition forces companies to find new opportunities.