Coop Estonia to acquire Prisma stores in Estonia and plans broader cooperation with Finnish retail group SOK

Coop Estonia and SOK, Finland's largest cooperative retail group, have signed an agreement for the acquisition of Prisma Peremarket and its 13 stores in Estonia. In addition, the two retail groups plan closer strategic cooperation. Until the Estonian Competition Authority grants approval for the consolidation, the retail chains will continue to operate separately in Estonia. The parties have not disclosed the value of the transaction.

According to Rainer Rohtla, Chairman of the Board of Coop Estonia, the transaction will allow the two retail chains operating in Estonia to combine their strengths. "Prisma's assortment is diverse and distinctive. We want to bring products widely loved by customers across Scandinavia closer to a much larger share of Estonian consumers through Coop Estonia's extensive store network. Coop Estonia's strength, in turn, lies in its high share of Estonian-made products, which we plan to offer consumers even more broadly in Prisma stores as well," said the Chairman of the Board.

The agreement between Coop Estonia and SOK does not only cover the acquisition of Prisma stores in Estonia. After the transaction takes effect, extensive cooperation between the two retail groups is also planned, which would enable Coop Estonia to offer Estonian consumers an even wider product selection than before. "Coop Estonia is the best partner for S Group in Estonia. We share a similar cooperative background and values of responsibility. Coop Estonia has a strong and positive image in Estonia and is a recognized employer. We are pleased to cooperate more closely with them," commented SOK President and CEO Hannu Krook.

The acquisition of Prisma stores will allow Coop Estonia, which already has a very strong presence across Estonia, to increase its footprint in Tallinn, where customers have long been waiting for this. "Once the transaction takes effect, residents of the capital will be able to shop at Coop Estonia stores in Tallinn just as conveniently as in various parts of Estonia where they have their summer homes. We are confident that everyone will find their home store at Coop, and that today's Prisma customers will appreciate that their favourite products remain available while also discovering new local flavours," said Rohtla.

Until now, Coop Estonia's market share in the capital has been rather modest. Even after acquiring the Prisma stores, it will remain just above 15%, which is below Coop Estonia's average market share. In other regions, the acquisition of Prisma stores will not have a significant impact on Coop Estonia's market share. Rohtla confirmed that Coop Estonia itself will not manage the acquired stores — after the transaction takes effect, they will be operated by Coop Estonia's regional consumer cooperatives.

For example, nine of Prisma's 13 stores, located in Tallinn and Harju County, will be managed by Coop Harju, which currently operates 28 stores. Other stores will be operated by regional consumer cooperatives in Tartu, Rapla, and Narva. After the transaction takes effect, Coop Estonia also intends to leverage the strategic cooperation between the two retail groups to support the entry of Estonian products into the Scandinavian market.

The legal adviser to the buyer was law firm Cobalt, and the financial adviser was LHV's investment banking team. The transaction does not include the Prisma brand or the Sokos Hotel Viru. The parties have not disclosed the transaction value or other terms. However, it can be said that this is the largest domestic retail transaction in Estonian history.

The transaction must be approved by the Estonian Competition Authority. "We hope that obtaining approval will go smoothly and as quickly as possible," expressed Rainer Rohtla. Approval is expected in the course of 2026.

Coop Estonia is Estonia's largest and oldest food and everyday goods retail chain, consisting of 18 local consumer cooperatives and the central cooperative that coordinates their collaboration. The group has approximately 320 stores located across Estonia, from major cities to small towns, and is the sole provider of food and everyday goods in many regions. Coop Estonia's 2024 net revenue amounted to €856.1 million, and with a 23.16% market share, it holds the market leader position in Estonia. Coop Estonia employs nearly 6,000 people in Estonia.

Prisma Peremarket has operated in Estonia since 2000. The chain has a total of 13 stores in Tallinn and Harju County, Tartu, Narva, and Rapla, employing over 700 people including support functions. The parent company of AS Prisma Peremarket, SOK, belongs to S Group, Finland's largest retail group.