Sweden news & analysis

ICA has released its first half results, reporting that consolidated net sales increased by 5.2% to SEK 56,439m (€5.4bn). Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability declined by 3.7% to SEK 2,013m (€193.3m). CEO: positive trends continued but weak earnings for ICA Sweden Commenting on the results, CEO Per Strömberg said, ‘The trends from the first quarter of the year continued...

Sweden’s Axfood has reported its first half results, with net sales increased by 4.9% to SEK 23,665m (€2.3bn), while net profit increased by 11.5% to SEK 767m (€74.1m).  CEO: ‘strong performance in a market undergoing major changes’ Commenting on the results, President and CEO Klas Balkow said, ‘During the first half of the year we had strong performance in a market undergoing major chan...

We highlight recent key innovations from Coop Danmark as it launches same day delivery, intelligent recipes and promotes comparisons beyond price. 1. Coop Danmark launches same day delivery in Copenhagen… Last week, Coop Danmark introduced same day delivery in Copenhagen. Shoppers can now place their orders before 12.00 and can have them delivered from 15.00. This autumn, the service...

Following recent appointments at Reitangruppen and Dagrofa, a further phase have been announced by both retailers. Reitan Convenience appoints new CEO for Sweden… Reitangruppen has appointed Mariette Kristensson as president and country manager of Reitan Convenience Sweden. Kristensson was previously CEO of Reitan Convenience in Norway , while beforehand she worked as Marketing Manager f...

We highlight changes at the top of REMA 1000, Bergendahls and Dagrofa. Norway: REMA 1000 appoints Trond Bentestuen as CEO of Norwegian operation REMA 1000 has appointed Trond Bentestuen as CEO of its Norwegian operation. Bentestuen is currently Executive Vice President of Wealth Management & Insurance at DNB. Jan Frode Johansen will continue as franchise director for REMA 1000. Ole Rober...

Ocado has announced a partnership with ICA to develop its online grocery business in Sweden. This is the third international partnership for the Ocado Smart Platform in six months. Exclusive partnership The Swedish market leader will use Ocado's e-commerce platform and technology for its automated picking warehouses. ICA hopes this will improve its customer offering and boost efficiency....

Lithuanian competition authorities have blocked ICA’s acquisition of UAB Palink, which runs the IKI grocery retail chain in the country. This follows local competition authorities granting conditional approval in October 2017. Approval was conditional on ICA selling 17 specific IKI/Rimi stores before the transaction could be completed. Competition authorities unsure of ‘buyers’ competitivenes...

We share some of the latest private label innovations from the Nordics as retailers invest in traceability, transparency and trust, while providing meal for tonight inpiration. Dansk Supermarked makes its private label tuna traceable Dansk Supermarked has taken its sustainability efforts to the next level by making its private label canned tuna traceable. Shoppers will be able to enter a...

7-Eleven in Sweden has launched two new initiatives at its stores, one supporting its consumers, the other, its staff members. Sharebox in stores In eight stores in Stockholm, 7-Eleven has introduced Sharebox storage cabinets for consumers. Individuals will be able to conveniently hand over keys without having to meet the recipient. Moreover, the person collecting the key can do so anyti...

As Lidl scales back its expansion programme in the US, across Europe it looks to be maintaining its focus on local products, opening new stores with its updated design and marketing its high quality, low price ranges. Lidl France focuses on local buying In an interview in local trade publication LSA, one of Lidl France’s co-managers, Michel Biero, has discussed the retailer’s performance in...