HELSINKI, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Retail sales for the Christmas shopping season are set to increase 2 percent this year from last in Finland, down from the 2 to 3 percent growth expected just two weeks ago, the main industry group said on Wednesday.
"The estimate is downgraded especially due to slower than expected sales of speciality goods," the Federation of Finnish Commerce said in a statement.
Retail sales in many countries have suffered after a sharp economic downturn in recent weeks, but Finnish consumer spending has kept up despite consumer confidence in November hitting its lowest levels since the early 1990s. (Reporting by Sakari Suoninen; Editing by Ron Askew)