Netprofile Aug 20, 2025 2:02:15 PM

Kesko chooses Nitor as strategic IT partner

Digital engineering company Nitor has been selected as a strategic partner to Kesko as part of a major IT services transformation. Nitor was chosen for its proven digital commerce expertise, dependability, and ability to operate in a multi-vendor environment.

kesko-valitsi-nitorin-strategiseksi-it-kumppaniksi.-kuvassa-nitorin-ville-himberg-okko-ojala-olli-auvinen.

Pictured Nitor's Ville Himberg, Okko Ojala and Olli Auvinen. 

Kesko, a Finnish trading sector forerunner, has chosen Nitor as one of its strategic IT
partners. With a significant IT services transformation, Kesko supports its growth strategy, accelerates business transformation, and strengthens its digital competitiveness.

Under new long-term agreements, Kesko will focus its IT services on fewer, strategically chosen partners. The partnerships will cover nearly all information technology service areas across the K Group.

“This is the biggest IT services transformation in Kesko's history. It enables us to build an even more agile and technologically advanced IT operating model that will allow, for example, more extensive utilisation of AI, increased level of automation, and strong information security,” says Arto Hiltunen, CIO of Kesko.

The new agreement deepens the collaboration between Nitor and the K Group, which already spans more than a decade. Nitor has been developing solutions for several K Group brands in Finland and the Nordics, including the K-Ruoka, Onninen, and K-Rauta online stores and Kesko’s customer feedback system. The successful partnership has also resulted in innovations such as K-Hyvinvointi, an AI-powered feature in the K-Ruoka mobile app, which won the “Best Use of Data” category at the 2024 Grand One gala.

“It’s a privilege to continue our successful collaboration with Kesko, a forerunner in omnichannel customer experience with a strong customer base both in physical stores and online. The partnership strengthens Nitor’s strategic focus on digital commerce,” says Olli Auvinen, CEO of Nitor.

“Nitor has what it takes to design and build world-class digital channels. It is no coincidence that Finland’s leading online retailers – such as Kesko, Elisa, S Group, Finnair, and Marimekko – continue to trust our expertise year after year,” adds Ville Himberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Nitor.

Nitor will support Kesko’s strategy with its expertise in digital services, AI solutions, and user experience design.

“With the new contract period, we will continue developing robust online stores with excellent customer experience, adding new features that leverage AI, data, and community interaction. For customers, this means smoother, easier services that keep them coming back,” says Okko Ojala, Senior Software Architect at Nitor.

“Our experience in multi-vendor environments, dependability, and expertise were key factors in the selection process. We will continue working as pragmatic, results-oriented bridge-builders, as always,” concludes CEO Olli Auvinen.