1969

The new Act on alcohol and medium strength beer came into force on 1 January 1969: alcohol shops could now be opened in rural areas, and the previous age limit of 21 years was changed so that 18-year-olds were allowed to buy mild alcoholic beverages and 20-year-olds all alcoholic beverages. These age limits have remained the same until the present day.

The sale of medium strength beer was allowed in more than 17,000 grocer’s shops. Establishments licensed to sell medium strength beer began to emerge, and their number rose as high as 2,716 in 1969. The name of Oy Alkoholiliike Ab was changed to Oy Alko Ab.

1971

The ‘liquor card’ was finally removed from use. The first self-service shop that stocked all types of beverages was opened in Espoo on 29 November 1971.

1972

The wine campaign was expanded into consumer education activities. In addition to wines, information was provided on all alcoholic beverages and how to use them. The detrimental effects of alcohol and the basis for the alcohol policy were also addressed.

1977

An increase in the consumption of alcohol was followed by a tightening of attitudes. For example, restoring the practice of selling medium strength beer in Alko shops was considered. Alcohol advertising was banned. The closing of alcohol shops on summer Saturdays was tested.

The company’s 200th shop was opened in Rajamäki on 17 January 1977.

1993

In December, the Finnish Government approved the EU’s view that the retail sales monopoly based on social and health policy objectives could continue, but that all other areas of the monopoly would be dismantled. Amendments were required to both the Act on excise duty on alcoholic beverages and the Alcohol Act.

1994

Finland joined the European Economic Area. The new Act on excise duty on alcohol came into force on 1 July 1994 and was reviewed on 1 January 1995. According to the new Act, excise duty based on the value of a beverage was replaced by excise duty based on alcohol content and the amount of alcohol.

A group of companies was established at the beginning of 1995, consisting of Alko Oy, which had an exclusive right to the retail sale of alcohol; Primalco Oy, which engaged in industry and export trade; and Alko-Yhtiöt Oy, which was the parent company and owned both Alko and Primalco. Alko-Yhtiöt Oy also had a restaurant business as a subsidiary.

Alko Oy had an exclusive right to the retail sale of beverages containing more than 4.7 percent alcohol by volume, with the exception of Finnish farm wines.

In 1995, Alko’s public authority tasks in regulating the alcohol trade ended. These tasks were transferred to the National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health.

The changes that took effect in 1995 were due to Finland joining the European Economic Area at the beginning of 1994.

1996

An agreement was concluded between Finland and the European Community, according to which Finnish import regulations on alcoholic beverages were to be harmonised with the EU regulations by the beginning of 2004.

1998

A decision was made to separate Alko Oy from the Alko-Yhtiöt Group.

The last of Alko’s over-the-counter shops, located in Kruunuhaka, Helsinki, was transformed into a self-service shop.

1999

Alko Oy started operations as an independent retailer of alcoholic beverages. The company is owned by the state and administered and controlled by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Alko Oy is a chain of shops specialising in alcoholic beverages. Alko does not produce the products that it sells, but purchases them from Finnish and international suppliers.

2002

Alko Oy’s 70th anniversary. The company had 299 shops and 140 order points.

2003

The 300th shop was opened on 22 January 2003 in Kupittaa, Turku.

2004

The operating environment for the alcohol trade changed. At the beginning of 2004, EU regulations concerning imports of alcoholic beverages by travellers came into force in Finland. Finnish excise duties on alcoholic beverages were reduced on 1 March 2004.

At the end of 2004, Alko had 320 shops. Alko was involved in the National Alcohol Programme for 2004–2007, whose primary goal was to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of alcohol through joint efforts of the state, municipalities and businesses.

2005

In 2004, following a structural change in sales resulting from the reduction of excise duties on alcoholic beverages, the sale of alcohol converted to 100 percent alcohol increased substantially. Sales were 13 percent higher than before the duties were changed.

2007

Alko’s 75th anniversary on 5 April 2007.

2008–2009

Excise duties on alcoholic beverages were raised.

In 2009, a responsibility programme entitled ‘In the Company of Children’ was launched.

2010

Alko’s Board of Directors decided to transfer pension insurance management from its own pension fund to insurance companies. At the end of the year, Alko had 343 shops and 116 order points.

2011

At the end of 2011, Alko had 348 shops. Five new shops were opened, and 21 shops were moved to new locations. The retail network was supplemented by 110 order points.

2012

Alko’s 80th anniversary on 5 April 2012.

2013

Hille Korhonen took up the position of President & CEO.