A strong year for the used to look

As with the Ica, the Group recognizes in its financial statements for the previous year, the situation is largely a positive one. The group's net sales increased by 2.6% (3.8% when adjusted for the sale of the Hemtex)in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2018, which means that the net sales in 2019, the increase was 3.4 percent (4.1 percent adjusted for the sale of the Hemtex), compared to the year 2018.

" this is the Ica's strongest of the year so far. We are looking for a very strong result, " says Ica gruppen's ceo, Per Strömberg, to the ROTOR.
as Per Strömberg, ceo of Ica Gruppen. Photo credit: David Atkins

the Vibes are so positive, despite the severe criticism leveled against the company in the last couple of weeks. The background is a matjättens the decision to change the system, which will be later on, to a certain extent, information. The critique is, thus, avstädad, as Per the Fact. He also stresses the importance of the functioning of the bonus systems in order to make the links into loyal customers is even stronger.

" in the Future, we are going to pay out more money in bonuses and other perks than we have done in the past. Regarding the criticism that has been directed at us, we listened to customers and made a change. We are able to in no way see that it's had an impact on us.

He notes in particular the development of e-commerce, which is a strong source of growth.

" It's the fourth quarter, we have grown in the food sector by 25 per cent, while the market is at 17%, and in the apoteksektorn is the same figure of 37 per cent vis-à-vis around 30 percent.

" Because the customers want it, it is of course very important, and that is why it is good to see that we have a strong growth rate.

In 2019, the food-The map, some are drawn on, in large part because of the Coop's acquisition of the food chain, on a Net basis. In an industry that is constantly in motion, it is important to be on the ball, says Per Strömberg.

" Overall, it's a very, very tough competition. The competition has been a member of both the restaurants and the onlineaktörer. It is to deliver what the customers want, and that is to say, the ease and convenience.

the Board of directors is proposing a dividend to shareholders of sek 12 per share, which compares with a dividend payment in the year of 11.50 per share.

it made for a solid start of 2019. It increased net sales by 5.5%, while the operating profit increased by 13 per cent. In the context of the harsh economic situation which the group is involved in, is now proposing the board of directors of an increased dividend of sek 0.25 per share for the year. The current dividend is set at sek 7, and is then slated to increase to 7.25 dollars.

"We believe that there is a space in which to do it, this growth," says Klas Balkow, president and ceo of Axfood.
Klas Balkow, president and ceo of Axfood. Photo credit: Anette Nantell

Klas Balkow points out the importance of an attractive e-commerce business. In line with this, it is important to improve the efficiency of the operations.

" We need to find new ways to be a better, more efficient transport, which is associated with e-commerce.

" It's a long-term effort to automate and invest in. We are now in, for example, to be more effective regarding the transportation by a common plocklager, between the various companies within the group. We continue to invest in a new logistics center, which will be completed in 2023.