Nordic Business Report-December 1, 2006-Rautakesko opens its 7th K-rauta store in St. Petersburg (C)1994-2006 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com Finnish trading house Kesko Corporation said on Friday (1 December) that its subsidiary Rautakesko has expanded its operations in Russia by opening its seventh K-rauta in St. Petersburg. The large outlet on Moskovskoe Shosse has a floor area of over 13,000 square metres and employs a staff of 120. The store offers first quality solutions for building, refurbishing and interior decoration for both private and business customers. Two more K-rauta stores will be opened in St. Petersburg on the main exit roads in 2007. Rautakesko plans to grow the K-rauta network in St. Petersburg to comprise 10-11 stores. In addition 8-10 stores will be opened in and around Moscow in the next few years. Rautakesko Ltd is engaged in the hardware and builders supplies and interior decoration trade in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Baltic countries and Northwest Russia. Rautakeskos net sales totalled EUR1.61bn in 2005. Kesko, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, provides retail and wholesale trading services in the Baltic Sea area. Kesko operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Baltic countries and Russia. The company has about 2,200 stores engaged in chain operations in seven countries. Kesko is listed on the Nordic Exchange in Helsinki. One British pound (GBP) is worth approximately 1.49 euros (EUR). ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))