English-language lifestyle site Kotona expands into e-commerce: now selling craft patterns to an international audience

Kotona Shop is part of the international Kotona website, which celebrates everyday creativity, sustainable choices, and the courage to live life on one’s own terms. The site stands out from other international lifestyle platforms by offering a unique perspective on the Nordic way of life.

“We’ve seen clear demand for high-quality knitting patterns in the Finnish market, and now we want to bring our expertise to the global stage. Nordic designers are of particular interest in the U.S., where knitting communities are accustomed to paying for individual patterns. Kotona Shop gives us the opportunity to experiment and further expand alongside our English-language content,” says Maija Koski, Director of the Home & Living media group.

Kotona Shop is part of the multichannel media strategy of A-lehdet, combining strong content expertise, e-commerce, and consumer insight. Last year, the Finnish-market concept of Kotona-kaupat won the “Digital Initiative of the Year” award at the Finnish Periodical Publishers’ Association’s competition. According to the jury, the shop presents a fresh concept in the Finnish media landscape, effectively merging content and commerce. This year, Kotona and its international expansion are nominated in two categories: “Digital Initiative of the Year” and “Media Innovation of the Year.”

“At A-lehdet, we have the ability to create innovative new digital commercial solutions. Since its launch in January, Kotona.com has attracted an international audience as planned. There is a growing interest in the Nordic lifestyle and related phenomena,” says Heli Arantola, CEO of A-lehdet Group.