Tag Archives: ICA Gruppen

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Lithuanian Competition Authority gives clearance (under condition) to ICA Gruppen for the acquisition of IKI operator UAB Palink

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Oct-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Lithuanian Competition Authority has reached a decision regarding ICA Gruppen’s subsidiary Rimi Lithuania’s acquisition of UAB Palink, which operates the IKI grocery store chain. The authority has given its clearance to the deal under the condition that 17 specific stores be sold prior to completion of the transaction. The ambition is to close the deal before year-end, however, if the divestment process takes longer, closing could be delayed until the first quarter of 2018.

The divestments are not expected to materially affect the overall value creation of the acquisition, or the previously communicated annual cost synergies of approximately EUR 15 million when fully realised in 2020. The synergies will be achieved primarily through larger purchasing volumes, more efficient logistics and marketing. As previously communicated the acquisition is expected to lead to one-off costs of approximately EUR 40 million and capital expenditures of approximately EUR 25 million during 2018 and 2019.

The aim is to have signed agreements to divest all 17 stores before year-end. However, if the divestment process takes longer, the acquisition of UAB Palink may not be completed until during the first quarter of 2018.

The 17 stores that will be divested accounted for 49 milion EUR in net sales during 2016. IKI is the second-largest player in the Lithuanian grocery retail market with a nationwide network of approximately 230 stores. Rimi had 57 stores in Lithuania at the end of 2016.  For the full year 2016 IKI’s sales amounted to EUR 632 million. EBITDA was EUR 33 million, while EBIT was EUR 12 million.

For more information
ICA Gruppen’s press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen

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Swedish ICA stores sales increased by 3.4% in August 2017

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Sep-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sales in the Swedish ICA stores increased by 3.4% in August 2017 compared with the corresponding month last year. Sales in like-for-like stores increased by 2.6%.

August 2017 January –August 2017
Store sales
excl. VAT		 Mkr Change  all stores Change like-for-like Mkr Change  all stores Change like-for-like
Maxi ICA Stormarknad 2,952 3.7% 3.6% 22,884 2.5% 2.5%
ICA Kvantum 2,363 3.7% 1.4% 18,362 3.7% 1.7%
ICA Supermarket 3,011 3.0% 2.5% 23,115 2.3% 1.8%
ICA Nära 1,529 2.7% 2.8% 11,473 1.8% 1.9%
Total 9,856 3.4% 2.6% 75,834 2.6% 2.0%

In August 2017, sales in the Swedish ICA stores totalled SEK 9,856 million excluding VAT, which is an increase of 3.4% compared with the same month in the previous year. Sales in January-August 2017 amounted to SEK 75,834 million, an increase of 2.6% compared with the previous year.

ICA Gruppen estimates the calendar effect for August to be +0.5%.

At 31 August 2017, the number of ICA stores in Sweden was 1,290. Store sales for September will be published on 9 October 2017 at 08.45 CET.

To see all publication dates in 2017, please visit ICA Gruppen’s website http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors/calendar.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen appoints Maria Lundberg as the new Chief Information Officer

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Aug-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Maria Lundberg has been named as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) of ICA Gruppen. To enable ICA to better capitalise on opportunities created by digitalisation of businesses and to further strengthen Group synergies in IT, she will also have a seat on the ICA Management Team. Maria is currently Director of IT for ICA Sweden. She will assume her new position on 1 January 2018.

Maria Lundberg has a long record of experience in IT and the grocery retail business through her current role as Director of IT for ICA Sweden and has previously worked for Axfood and in various positions at Tieto Enator. ICA Gruppen’s previous CIO, Yngve Nivaeus, is leaving ICA after ten years in that position.

“Digitalisation is becoming an increasingly important part of ICA Gruppen’s business and a driver of innovation in customer communication, sales via new channels, and digitalisation of internal processes. This work is already under way, and with Maria on the ICA Management Team my hope is that we will be able to create even better conditions for consensus and coordination,” comments Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen.

Organisationally the IT function will continue to be part of Finance, and the CIO will report to ICA Gruppen’s CFO, Sven Lindskog. The work on finding a successor to Maria Lundberg as Head of IT for ICA Sweden has begun.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen strengthens its digital ecosystem with new innovation hub ICAx

ICA Gruppen strengthens its digital ecosystem with new innovation hub ICAx

 

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Aug-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — The new innovation hub ICAx will strengthen ICA Gruppen’s ability to use digital technology to improve its customer offerings in and between the Group’s various companies. Within this hub ICA will work with its own digital development projects, strategic partnerships with other companies, and potentially also with acquisitions. The aim of the initiative is to accelerate development of digital services for ICA Gruppen’s various companies and strengthen the Group’s digital ecosystem.

The goal is that ICAx will deliver three to six new projects per year and also leverage internal ideas across ICA Gruppen in a structured manner.

“We will combine the stability, resources and customer base of a major corporation with the speed and agility from the start-up world,” comments Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen. “By creating a separate unit dedicated to innovation and development as well as to forging strategic, digital partnerships with other enterprises, we will be able to more quickly develop services that improve our customer offering. We are prepared to make significant investments on developing services that create customer benefit. The goal is that customers will see new services from ICAx already by the end of this year.”

ICAx will be headed by Samuel Young, who has a long record of experience at ICA but comes most recently from his role as CEO of the company Smart Video. Samuel will report to Peter Muld, who is Chief Digital Officer at ICA Gruppen.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen Q2 2017 earnings: Consolidated net sales up by 3.7% to SEK 27,198 million

Underlying earnings stable; higher costs from new ventures

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Aug-17 — /EPR Retail News/ —

Second quarter of 2017 in summary

  • Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 27,198 million (26,222), an increase of 3.7%
  • Operating profit excluding non-recurring items totalled SEK 1,094 million (1,154)
  • The sale of ICA Real Estate in Norway and inkClub, and costs ahead of the integration of the acquisition of IKI in Lithuania, affected operating profit excluding nonrecurring items by a combined total of SEK -53 million
  • Profit for the period was SEK 1,021 million (829). Profit includes capital gains on sales of non-current assets and impairment losses totalling SEK 165 million net (-37)
  • Earnings per share were SEK 5.06 (4.12)
  • Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 2,001 million (1,785). Excluding ICA Bank, cash flow was SEK 1,836 million (1,463)
  • The sale of 12 properties to Secore Fastigheter was completed on 2 June, generating a capital gain of approximately SEK 150 million

After the end of the quarter

  • No significant events have taken place after the end of the quarter

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg:

“We had stable underlying earnings during the second quarter, with Apotek Hjärtat – above all – posting a good quarter. Other businesses have been affected by divestments to varying degrees – particularly the sale of properties in Norway – as well as by ongoing activities and ventures. Higher costs have resulted in a slightly lower operating margin than a year ago, but with a high level of activity it is at the same time natural that there will be variations from quarter to quarter that affect earnings. In the long-term perspective we are on track to meeting our targets.”

Press and analyst meeting

ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting on Wednesday 16 August at 10.00 CET at Tändstickspalatset, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15 in Stockholm. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The conference can also be followed at www.icagruppen.se/investerare.

To call in, please dial:

SE +46 8 5050 3050

UK +44 203 655 1001

Conference PIN: 1839741#

Calendar

10 November 2017                Interim report third quarter

14 December 2017                Capital Markets Day

8 February 2018                    Year-end report 2017

This information is such that ICA Gruppen AB is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication at time 07.00 CET on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

For further information, please contact:
Frans Benson
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +46 8-561 500 20
ICA Gruppen press service
Tel +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen Q2 2017 Sustainability Report: Continued decrease in GHG emissions and new circular system for reducing food waste

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Aug-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — “By virtue of our size we have a great responsibility, but on top of this we also clearly see that sustainability is a driver of growth. We see it in our figures, and it is also evident in numerous, independent studies. Companies with effective sustainability work are on average more profitable and deliver higher returns to their shareholders,” says Per Strömberg, CEO ICA Gruppen in his comments on the report.

See the Sustainability Report for more information, including:

  • ICA Gruppen’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 41% during the period July 2016–June 2017 compared with the base year 2006.
  • Continued growth in sales of ecolabelled, organic and ethically labelled products in ICA Sweden’s central assortment. In total, sales of such products during the period July 2016–June 2017 grew 8% compared with the corresponding period a year ago.
  • New packaging contributing to lower food waste. By changing over to a new form of packaging for large parts of the meat range, considerably longer shelf life has been achieved as well as improved flavour.
  • Food waste becomes fish in circular system. Waste from potatoes is being used to breed insects, which in turn are being used as fish feed for Arctic char sold under ICA Sweden’s private label.
  • During the spring Apotek Hjärtat changed over to using plastic bags made of sugar cane. When incinerated the bags produce 85% less CO2than petroleum-based bags.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen to release its Q1 report 2016 on Tuesday, 9 May 2017

Solna, Sweden, 2017-May-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen will publish its Q1 report 2016 on Tuesday, 9 May 2017. In conjunction to this, we are pleased to issue this invitation to a press and analyst telephone conference.

Time: Tuesday, 9 May 2017 at 10.00 CET

ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report with the possibility to ask questions afterwards. The presentation can be followed athttp://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors

If you would like to ask questions after the presentation, please dial in:

SE +46 8 5050 3050
UK +44 203 655 1001
Conference PIN:   8023887#

A recorded version of the audiocast will be available on the company’s website afterwards. The presentation will be held in English.

ICA Gruppen’s Q1 report will be published at 07.00 CET on Tuesday 9 May 2017.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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Swedish ICA stores announces sales increased by 0.3% in February 2017 vs. same month last year

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Mar-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sales in the Swedish ICA stores increased by 0.3% in February 2017 compared with the corresponding month last year. Sales in like-for-like stores decreased by 0.3%.

February 2017 January – February 2017
Store sales
excl. VAT		 Mkr Change  all stores Change like-for-like Mkr Change  all stores Change like-for-like
Maxi ICA Stormarknad 2,512 0.4% 0.4% 5,168 0.4% 0.4%
ICA Kvantum 2,040 0.7% -0.6% 4,220 1.5% 0.2%
ICA Supermarket 2,559 -0.1% -0.6% 5,248 0.9% 0.4%
ICA Nära 1,243 0.3% 0.3% 2,533 1.5% 1.6%
Total 8,353 0.3% -0.2% 17,168 1.0% 0.5%

In February 2017, sales in the Swedish ICA stores totalled SEK 8,353 million excluding VAT, which is an increase of 0.3% compared with the same month in the previous year. Sales in January-February 2017 amounted to SEK 17,168 million, an increase of 1.0% compared with the previous year.

ICA Gruppen estimates the calendar effect for February to be -3.1%. The large negative calendar effect relates to the leap day in February 2016.

At 28 February 2017, the number of ICA stores in Sweden was 1,295. Store sales for March will be published on 10 April 2017 at 08.45 CET.

To see all publication dates in 2017, please visit ICA Gruppen’s website http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors/calendar.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

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ICA Gruppen announces Q4 2016 financial results

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Feb-08 — /EPR Retail News/ —

Fourth quarter of 2016 in summary

  • Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 26,920 million (26,489), an increase of 1.6%
  • Operating profit excluding non-recurring items totalled SEK 1,180 million (1,024). Operating profit for the comparison period included costs of SEK 76 million associated with the acquisition and integration of Apotek Hjärtat
  • Profit from continuing operations (ICA Gruppen excl. ICA Norway) was SEK 784 million (1,427). Profit includes capital gains on sales of noncurrent assets and impairment losses totalling SEK -151 million net (450)
  • Earnings per share for continuing operations were SEK 3.89 (7.1)
  • Cash flow from operating activities for continuing operations amounted to SEK 2,689 million (1,862). Excluding ICA Bank, cash flow was SEK 2,645 (1,995)
  • ICA Gruppen acquired the Lithuanian grocery retail chain IKI
  • The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 10.50 per share (10.00) for 2016, corresponding to 62% (41%) of profit for the year

After the end of the quarter

  • On 1 February the sale of the Norwegian property holdings was completed

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg:

“We ended 2016 with good momentum. Sales for ICA stores performed better than the market during the second half, which means that based on preliminary market data for the full year we grew our market share slightly, and we continue to show good growth for Rimi Baltic and Apotek Hjärtat. In terms of earnings we are in line with our financial targets, and we have a strong cash flow. We have also completed the sale of the Norwegian properties and taken an important step towards increasing our footprint in Lithuania through the acquisition of IKI, which we communicated just before Christmas.”

Press and analyst meeting

ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting at Tändstickspalatset, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 8 February at 10.00 CET. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The meeting will be webcast and can be followed at  www.icagruppen.se/investerare.

There is also an opportunity to call in on tel.
SE +46856642661
UK +442030089801

Calendar

7 April 2017 Annual General Meeting
9 May 2017 Interim report first quarter
16 August 2017 Interim report second quarter
10 November 2017 Interim report third quarter
7 February 2018 Year-end report 2017

This is information that ICA Gruppen AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 07.00 CET on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

For further information, please contact:
Frans Benson
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +46 8-561 500 20

ICA Gruppen press service
Tel +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen CEO and CFO to present Q4 report on February 8

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Feb-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen will publish its Q4 report 2016 on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. In conjunction to this, we are pleased to issue this invitation to a press and analyst meeting.

Place: Tändstickspalatset, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15, Stockholm

Time: Wednesday, 8 February 2017 at 10.00 CET

ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report and answer any subsequent questions. The press and analyst meeting will be available as a live webcast and can be viewed at http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors

To attend the telephone conference:

SE: +46856642661

UK: +442030089801

A recorded version of the webcast will be available on the company’s website afterwards. The presentation will be held in English. Please register to ir@ica.se.

ICA Gruppen’s Q4 report will be published at 07.00 CET on Wednesday, 8 February 2017.

For more information:

ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen to announce Q4 report 2016 on Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Solna, Sweden, 2017-Feb-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen will publish its Q4 report 2016 on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. In conjunction to this, we are pleased to issue this invitation to a press and analyst meeting.

Place: Tändstickspalatset, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15, Stockholm

Time: Wednesday, 8 February 2017 at 10.00 CET

ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report and answer any subsequent questions. The press and analyst meeting will be available as a live webcast and can be viewed at http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors

To attend the telephone conference:

SE: +46856642661

UK: +442030089801

A recorded version of the webcast will be available on the company’s website afterwards. The presentation will be held in English. Please register to ir@ica.se.

ICA Gruppen’s Q4 report will be published at 07.00 CET on Wednesday, 8 February 2017.

Contact:

ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen hosts Capital Markets Day in Stockholm

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Dec-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today, 15 December 2016, ICA Gruppen is arranging a Capital Markets Day in Stockholm. The programme includes, among other things, a review of the Group’s strategic priorities and goals as well as business reviews for Rimi Baltic, Apotek Hjärtat and ICA Sweden.

ICA Gruppen’s management is today meeting with financial analysts, bank representatives and the media to present the company’s strategies, view of the market, and investments. During the day ICA will, among other things, talk about the Group’s investment level for 2017 and the number of establishments.

To secure its long-term growth, ICA Gruppen will expand its capex budget from SEK 2.5 billion in 2016 to SEK 3.5 billion in 2017. Among other things, ICA Gruppen is increasing its investments in IT in all companies. The investments will create better conditions for continued digitalisation, improved loyalty services and improved operation of the daily business. But ICA Gruppen is also investing in strengthening and modernising its pharmacy and store network as well as in an expansion of Rimi Baltic’s central warehouse.

The investments will be partly financed through the sale of real estate. On top of the previously communicated sale of the Norwegian property portfolio, during the spring of 2017 ICA will sell additional properties to a joint venture, which is expected to generate approximately SEK 800 million.

The number of new store establishments in 2017 is expected to be slightly lower than in 2016. ICA Sweden plans to open 10 to 15 new stores in 2017, compared with a total of 17 in 2016. Rimi Baltic plans to open ten new stores in 2017, compared with a total of 15 in the current year. Apotek Hjärtat plans to open a total of 14 new pharmacies in 2017, compared with 11 this year.

This information is such that ICA Gruppen is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 07.30 CET on Thursday, 15 December 2016.

Contact:

ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen outlines its strategic priorities for 2017

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Dec-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen’s board of directors has adopted the company’s strategic priorities for 2017. The priorities are designed to promote continued profitable growth and facilitate cooperation and synergies between various operations in ICA Gruppen.

ICA Gruppen has five long-term strategic themes that set the direction for the Group’s operations: customer experience, brand and loyalty, simplicity, employees, and sustainability.

In addition to these long-term themes, every year a number of more short-term joint priorities are identified. These are intended to promote continued profitable growth for ICA Gruppen and facilitate cooperation and synergies between the various operations. Goals are set for the strategic priorities and are followed up.

Two of the priorities for 2017 are new, and a few have been adjusted to opportunities and challenges in the coming years.

ICA Gruppen’s strategic priorities for 2017 can be summarised in the ten points:

  • Ensure competitive pricing and fair price competition
  • Implement new strategies with strengthen customer offerings for non-food, Hemtex and ICA Bank
  • Build a leading omni-channel offering across businesses and platforms
  • Strengthen store network and concepts with focus on urban areas, convenience and health (new)
  • Further strengthen our position in the Baltics
  • Develop leading CRM and leverage the common Swedish loyalty programme
  • Drive reliability and efficiency throughout the value chain with focus on logistics and store operations
  • Improve speed and project delivery through new ways of working
  • Improve performance management process and change ability (new)
  • Drive sustainable customer choices and climate-smart operations

This information is such that ICA Gruppen is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:45 CET on Wednesday, 14 December 2016.

Contact:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen confirms talks over a potential acquisition of the Lithuanian grocery chain IKI

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Nov-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen today (2016, 25 November) confirms, after reports in local media in Lithuania, that discussions are ongoing with the owners of Palink, over a potential acquisition of the Lithuanian grocery chain IKI.

No agreement has been reached and it is not possible to state with certainty that an agreement will be reached. Further information will be published when there is anything substantial to communicate.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen releases its 3Q FY2016 sustainability report

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Nov-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen adresses important issues and initiatives regarding the environment, quality, ethical trade, health and community engagement in the sustainability report for the third quarter of 2016.

“Most of what we do in the area of sustainability involves long-term initiatives and continuous improvements. But on top of this we do not hesitate to try novel – and sometimes even unconventional – approaches. These include, without a doubt, our Klimaträtt (“Climate right”) project, which we have been conducting in partnership with WWF, Chalmers University of Technology and Uppsalahem, among others. In September the UN announced that Klimaträtt has been awarded as one of most innovative and scalable examples of what companies can do create digital solutions for reduced environmental impact,” comments Per Strömberg, President and CEO of ICA Gruppen.

Read more about the following and other news in the sustainability report:

  • Continued strong sales of organic products
    Sales of organic products continued to rise during the third quarter. Intotal, sales of organic products from ICA Sweden’s central assortmentgrew 16% (2%) during the quarter compared with the correspondingperiod a year ago. On a rolling 12-month basis, sales growth fororganic products was 19%.
  • ICA Gruppen’s Klimaträtt (“Climate right”) project wins UN award
    In the jury’s citation, Klimaträtt is described as one of most innovative and scalable global examples of what companies can do to address and create solutions for reduced environmental impact.
  • Juice and marmalade from 10,000 kg of fruit
    In partnership with the Helsingborg-based company Rescued Fruits, ICA Sweden has taken care of 10,000 kg of fruit that would otherwise have been discarded from ICA’s warehouses. The left-over fruit has instead been made into fruit drink and marmalade sold under ICA’sprivate label.
  • Stronger sustainability focus in management and board
    To further strengthen ICA’s sustainability work, Kerstin Lindvall wasnamed Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and as a member of ICA Gruppen’s Management Team. In conjunction with this, a sustainability committee is being formed in ICA Gruppen’s board to increase focus on CR issues.

This information is such that ICA Gruppen AB is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:00 CET on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen announces Q3 FY2016 financial results

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Nov-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Favourable earnings and higher market shares

Third quarter of 2016 in summary

  • Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 25,752 million (25,517), an increase of 0.9%
  • Operating profit excluding non-recurring items totalled SEK 1,376 million (1,321). Operating profit for the comparison period included costs of SEK 52 million associated with the acquisition and integration of Apotek Hjärtat
  • Profit from continuing operations (ICA Gruppen excl. ICA Norway) was SEK 1,049 million (979). Profit includes capital gains on sales of non-current assets and impairment losses totalling SEK 20 million, net (-43)
  • Earnings per share for continuing operations were SEK 5.21 (4.83)
  • Cash flow from operating activities for continuing operations amounted to SEK 550 million (955). Excluding ICA Bank the cash flow was SEK 1,045 million (624)

After the end of the quarter

  • No significant events have taken place after the end of the quarter

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg: “Compared with the market, we had good growth in our store sales during the third quarter. At the same time, in Sweden we saw clearly lower food price inflation and a significantly lower rate of growth in the market during the summer. Most of our businesses are showing improved earnings and have stable or growing margins. We are pleased with this, especially in view of the slightly higher level of costs we have in many parts of the Group for ongoing future investments.”

Press and analyst meeting

ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting at Tändstickspalatset, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 9 November 2016 at 10.00 CET. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The meeting will be webcast and can be followed at www.icagruppen.se/investerare.

There is also an opportunity to call in on tel.

SE: +46856642695
UK: +442030089801

Calendar:

15 December 2016                Capital Markets Day

8 February 2017                    Year-end report 2016

7 April 2017                            Annual General Meeting

9 May 2017                             Interim report first quarter

16 August 2017                      Interim report second quarter

10 November 2017               Interim report third quarter

This information is such that ICA Gruppen AB is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at time 07.00 CET on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

For further information, please contact:

Frans Benson
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +46 8-561 500 20
ICA Gruppen press service
Tel +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen to announce its Q3 report 2016 on Wednesday, 9 November 2016

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Nov-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen will publish its Q3 report 2016 on Wednesday, 9 November 2016. In conjunction to this, we are pleased to issue this invitation to a press and analyst meeting.

Place: Tändstickspalatset, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15, Stockholm

Time: Wednesday, 9 November 2016 at 10.00 CET

ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report and answer any subsequent questions. The press and analyst meeting will be available as a live webcast and can be viewed at http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors

To attend the telephone conference:

SE: +46856642695

UK: +442030089801

A recorded version of the webcast will be available on the company’s website afterwards. The presentation will be held in English. Please register to ir@ica.se.

ICA Gruppen’s Q3 report will be published at 07.00 CET on Wednesday, 9 November 2016.

This information is such that ICA Gruppen AB is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 10.00 CET on Wednesday November 2, 2016.

For more information:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen appoints nomination committee for the 2017 Annual General Meeting

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Sep-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen’s nomination committee for the 2017 Annual General Meeting has been appointed. The Nomination Committee’s members are Claes Ottosson and Anna-Karin Liljeholm, both representing ICA-handlarnas Förbund, Annika Lundius, representing Industrivärden, and Hans Ek, representing SEB Investment Management.

ICA-handlarnas Förbund is the largest owner of ICA Gruppen, followed by Industrivärden and SEB Investment Management.

ICA Gruppen’s 2016 Annual General Meeting resolved that the Nomination Committee shall be composed of four members who represent the company’s shareholders. Two of the members are to be appointed by the largest shareholder, and two members are to be appointed by the next two largest shareholders.

The Nomination Committee will draft recommendations to the 2017 Annual General Meeting regarding a person to serve as AGM chairman, board members, the Chairman of the Board, and an auditor or auditors. The Nomination Committee will also draw up recommendations for directors’ fees, broken down into the Chairman of the Board and other board members as well as fees for committee work and fees for the company’s auditor.

In all the Nomination Committee represents 63% of the capital in ICA Gruppen, based on ownership data as per the end of August 2016. ICA Gruppen’s 2017 Annual General Meeting will be held on 7 April 2017.

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 09:00 CET on Wednesday, 28 September 2016.

Contact:
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen releases its 1Q2016 sustainability report

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Aug-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen today ( 2016,18 August) presented its sustainability report for the first quarter of 2016. The report addresses important issues and initiatives regarding the environment, quality, ethical trade, health and community engagement.

ICA Gruppen’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 27% during the period July 2015 to June 2016 compared with 2006.

“Our ambition is to be a leader in corporate responsibility,” comments Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen. “It is a position we want to achieve in part because of the responsibility we have by virtue of our size, and in part because we so clearly see that sustainability is a driver of growth. Spurred by our customers’ interests and our new, internal climate targets, during the past quarter we further accelerated the pace of our activities to include such measures as a continued review of refrigerants in stores, efficiency improvements in transports, and the launch of climate-guided recipes on ica.se.”

  • ICA first to offer climate-guided recipes
    During the quarter ICA launched a climate guide for recipes on ica.se. The recipes are marked with one, two or three leaves to symbolise how beneficial they are from a climate perspective. At the end of the period approximately 2,000 climate-guided recipes were available, and going forward all new recipes will be climate-rated.
  • Swedish milk in ICA’s private label dairy products
    During the quarter ICA Sweden signed a new agreement concerning production of ICA’s private label dairy products. Once the agreement has taken full effect, most of ICA’s private label dairy products and hard cheeses will be made using milk produced in Sweden.
  • Launch of industry-wide country of origin label – “Från Sverige”
    In April the new, industry-wide Från Sverige (“From Sweden”) country of origin label was launched. The label may be used on food, ingredients and plants that are produced in Sweden and that meet the label’s criteria. ICA Sweden was one of the initiative-takers behind the new label, which was developed in collaboration with the Swedish Food Federation, Svensk Dagligvaruhandel and the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF).
  • Continued positive sales trend for organic products
    Store sales of organic products from ICA Sweden’s central assortment remained positive during the quarter. On a rolling 12-month basis, sales growth for organic products was 25%.
  • Intensified environmental monitoring of suppliers
    During the quarter, ICA Gruppen’s tool for auditing and monitoring working conditions at suppliers – ICA Social Audit – was complemented with additional aspects focusing on suppliers’ environmental work. The aim is to expand the monitoring of suppliers to include their environmental performance. The new aspects focus on waste handling, chemicals and water treatment, among other things.

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:00 CET on Thursday, August, 2016.

For more information:

ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen announces favourable earnings and higher market shares during Q2 report 2016

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Aug-22 — /EPR Retail News/ —

Second quarter of 2016 in summary

  • Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 26,222 million (25,542), an increase of 2.7%
  • Operating profit excluding non-recurring items totalled SEK 1,154 million (1,018). Operating profit for the comparison period included costs of SEK 27 million associated with the acquisition and integration of Apotek Hjärtat
  • Profit from continuing operations (ICA Gruppen excl. ICA Norway) was SEK 829 million (786). Profit includes capital gains on sales of noncurrent assets and impairment losses totalling SEK -37 million, net (47)
  • Earnings per share for continuing operations were SEK 4.12 (3.77)
  • Cash flow from operating activities for continuing operations amounted to SEK 1,785 million
  • The same period in 2015 included SEK 1.2 billion of capital gain in earnings and SEK 2.8 billion in cash flow from the divestment of ICA Norway
  • inkClub was divested as per 29 June 2016, giving rise to a capital loss of SEK 30 million

After the end of the quarter

  • No significant events have taken place after the end of the quarter

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg:

“ICA Gruppen continued to show favourable performance into the second quarter. All parts of the Group posted earnings improvements, except for ICA Bank. It is especially positive to note that we gained market shares and that the ICA stores in Sweden have had a few months with very good sales performance. On the negative side, we have experienced continued disruptions with associated high costs in our logistics operation in southern Sweden.”

Press and analyst meeting

ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting at Tändstickspalatset, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 17 August 2016 at 10.00 CET. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The meeting will be webcast and can be followed at  www.icagruppen.se/investerare. There is also an opportunity to call in on tel.

SE: +46856642694

UK: +442030089801

Calendar

9 November 2016                  Interim report January–September 2016

15 December 2016                Capital Markets Day

8 February 2017                    Year-end report 2016

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at time 07.00 CET on Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

For further information, please contact:

Frans Benson
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +46 8-561 500 20

ICA Gruppen press service
Tel +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen announces the appointment of Peter Muld as new Chief Digital Officer

Solna, Sweden,  2016-Jun-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen is taking its next step in the work on strengthening its focus on digitalisation with the establishment of a new Chief Digital Officer function at the group level. Peter Muld will begin serving in the position on 5 September this year. The new function will ensure a clearer and more coordinated digital strategy for the entire Group.

The business environment is changing rapidly, and all of ICA Gruppen’s subsidiaries are already working actively with digitalisation. However, the additions of both ICA Insurance and Apotek Hjärtat have created several interfaces with the same customers, which is giving rise to new opportunities. Being able to fully capitalize on these will require sharper focus, specialized expertise and greater coordination between the Group’s subsidiaries.

“We are very happy that we can now establish a CDO function headed by Peter Muld,” comments Liv Forhaug, Chief Strategy Officer, ICA Gruppen. “Peter has a highly relevant background with extensive experience in both IT and business opportunities coupled to digitalisation, among other things from his former role as Business CIO and head of the digital transformation at SAS. I also see Peter’s diverse and broad record of experience from both entrepreneurial ventures and large corporations as a merit in his ability to contribute to our journey of change.”

The new function will serve primarily in a strategic role and will report to the Chief Strategy Officer. In addition, the function will lead selected development projects with significance for several of the Group’s subsidiaries. In time, the new function will consist of a handful of individuals who will work closely with key employees in the subsidiaries.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service
Tel.: +46 10 422 52 52

Source: ICA Gruppen

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ICA Gruppen to sell InkClub for SEK 322 million

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Jun-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA announced March 17 that a review of the ownership of InkClub would be initiated. Thereafter began a sale process that has now been completed. The buyer is InkClub’s founder, Lennart Nyberg. The purchase price is SEK 322 million for the shares in the company, which after transaction costs will entail an estimated capital loss for ICA Gruppen of SEK 30 million. The sale is expected to be completed during the month of June.

“Since the business has limited synergies with our core business, after conducting a review of our ownership we have decided to sell InkClub,” comments Liv Forhaug, Chief Strategy Officer, ICA Gruppen. “Our plan for the portfolio companies and the streamlining of ICA Gruppen’s holdings has thereby been fully carried out.”

InkClub is one of Sweden’s oldest e-commerce companies and has been owned by ICA Gruppen since 2007. Today the company conducts business in 10 countries and has a wide offering of consumables. In 2015 InkClub had sales of approximately SEK 500 million and an operating profit of SEK 17.5 million.

ABG Sundal Collier has served as financial adviser, and the law firm Lindahl has served as legal adviser to ICA Gruppen in connection with the transaction.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Tel.: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08.30 CET on Monday 20, June 2016.

Source: ICA Gruppen 

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ICA Gruppen announces 2015 Fourth quarter results

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Feb-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Stable year, but competition is growing

Fourth quarter of 2015 in summary

  • Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 26,489 million (23,180). Excluding acquisition and divestment effects, the increase was 4.8%
  • Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was SEK 1,024 million
    (1,081). This includes costs of SEK 76 million related to the integration of Apotek Hjärtat
  • Profit from continuing operations (ICA Gruppen excl. ICA Norway) was SEK 1,427 million (807). Profit includes capital gains of SEK 457 million (-5) from sales of non-current assets
  • Earnings per share for continuing operations were SEK 7.10 (3.73)
  • Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 1,862 million (1,676)
  • The Board of Directors proposes a dividend for 2015 of SEK 10.00 per share (9.50), corresponding to 41% of profit for the year

After the end of the quarter

  • On 20 January all outstanding C shares were converted to ordinary shares

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg:

“We delivered a stable result for the full year 2015 and are pleased overall with our performance for the year. At the same time, we are seeing a tougher competitive situation in our markets, where during the second half of the year ICA Sweden began losing market shares for the first time in a long time. However, the slightly lower earnings during the fourth quarter compared with a year ago is mainly attributable to costs for expansion and investments in the future.”

For further information, please contact:

Frans Benson, VP Investor Relations
tel. +46 8-561 500 20

ICA Gruppen press service
Tel +46 10 422 52 52

Press and analyst meeting
ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting at Tändstickspalatset, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 10 February 2016 at 10.00 CET. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The meeting will be webcast and can be followed at www.icagruppen.se/investerare. There is also an opportunity to call in on tel. SE +46 8 566 426 69 UK +44 203 008 9809

Calendar

9 March 2016                        Publication of ICA Gruppen’s Annual Report

20 April 2016                         Annual General Meeting

4 May 2016                           Interim report January–March 2016

17 August 2016                     Interim report January–June 2016

9 November 2016                  Interim report January–September 2016

8 February 2017                    Year-end report 2016

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 07:00 CET on Wednesday, 10 February, 2016.

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ICA Gruppen to publish its Q4 report 2015 on 10 February 2016

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Feb-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen will publish its Q4 report 2015 on Wednesday, 10 February 2016. In conjunction to this, we are pleased to issue this invitation to a press and analyst meeting.

Place: Tändstickspalatset, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15, Stockholm

Time: Wednesday, 10 February 2016 at 10.00 CET

ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report and answer any subsequent questions. The press and analyst meeting will be available as a live webcast and can be viewed at http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors.

To attend the telephone conference:
SE +46 8 566 426 69
UK +44 203 008 9809

A recorded version of the webcast will be available on the company’s website afterwards. The presentation will be held in English. Please register to ir@ica.se.

ICA Gruppen’s Q4 report will be published at 07.00 CET on Wednesday, 10 February 2016.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 10:00 CET on Wednesday, 3 February, 2016.

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ICA Gruppen’s C shares to be converted to ordinary shares in January 2016

Solna, Sweden, 2016-Jan-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — As previously announced, all C shares in ICA Gruppen will be converted to ordinary shares in January 2016. ICA Gruppen’s board of directors today made the decision that conversion shall be carried as prescribed in the company’s Articles of Association.

The total number of shares in ICA Gruppen is 201,146,895, of which 82,067,892 are C shares up until conversion. The company’s Articles of Association stipulate that, at the request of shareholders, C shares shall be converted to ordinary shares and that a conversion may take place not earlier than in January 2016. As previously announced, ICA-handlarnas förbund, which owns all of the C shares, made such a request on January 1st2011, which has prompted the Board to now make a decision on conversion in accordance with the company´s Articles of Association. The total number of shares and votes will remain unchanged after the conversion, as will ICA-handlarnas förbund’s share of ownership in ICA Gruppen, 51.3%.

Ordinary shares and C shares have the same voting rights, but different entitlement to cash dividends. Ordinary shares have an unrestricted entitlement to dividends, while C shares lack any right to cash dividends. After the completed conversion, ICA Gruppen will only have one class of shares – ordinary shares – carrying equal entitlement to dividends.

For more information

ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 15.00 on Thursday, 14 January 2016.

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen AB

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ICA Gruppen commits to be climate-neutral by 2020

SOLNA, SWEDEN, 2015-12-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen has taken the decision to be climate-neutral by 2020.* This encompasses the climate impact of operations in stores, pharmacies, warehouses and offices from areas such as refrigerants, electricity, goods transports and business travel in both the Swedish and Baltic operations. The decrease will be measured using a science-based method developed by the UN and WWF, among others.

ICA will achieve this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and through more efficient use of resources as well as by climate compensating the climate impact than cannot be eliminated in ICA’s operations by 2020. The target has been set using a method for science-based climate targets developed by WWF, the UN Global Compact, CDP and the World Resources Institute.

“Sustainability and the climate are a strategic priority for us,” comments Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen. “We achieved our previous target – to lower our direct climate impact by 30% from 2006 to 2020 – already at the start of this year. So we know what we are capable of. We are therefore now setting a much more ambitious climate target that we are proud of and that hopefully will inspire other companies to take their responsibility.”

Climate impact of our suppliers
ICA aspires to be a driver in this development and will therefore, on top of the climate target for its own operations, be further developing the manner of working for lower climate impact among its suppliers. This is also in line with the method of setting science-based climate targets. Today ICA already works on reducing the climate impact from its product range by making certain demands on its suppliers in the environmental area, but also by focusing on matters such as greater sales of vegetarian meals, and fruits and vegetables.

Climate impact of our customers
In addition to setting an ambitious climate target, ICA is also developing services designed to help customers lower their own climate impact. Among other things, ICA is working with recipes on ica.se that have been created to help customers eat more climate-smart. Another example is the Klimaträtt project, which allowed participants to monitor their climate impact weekly and thereby see the consequences of various changes in their lifestyle. The Klimaträtt project helped the participants reduce their climate impact by 31%.

In addition, in cooperation with Stockholm Resilience Center, during the year ICA conducted a study at 26 ICA stores focusing on how customers can be urged to make more climate-conscious choices through so-called green nudging. The result showed that there is potential in how we can use various tools to steer customers toward sustainable choices.

*The climate target encompasses the direct climate impact in all of ICA Gruppen’s companies excluding the portfolio company inkClub.
Read more about science-based climate targets at http://sciencebasedtargets.org.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at time CET 8:00 a.m on Monday, 7 December 2015.

SOURCE:  ICA Gruppen AB

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ICA Gruppen reports on November 2015 sales figures of it Swedish stores

SOLNA, SWEDEN, 2015-12-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sales in the Swedish ICA stores rose by 3.7% in November 2015 compared with the corresponding month last year. Sales in like-for-like stores increased by 3.1%.

November 2015 January – November 2015
Store sales, excl. VAT SEKm Change all stores Change like-for-like SEKm Change all stores Change like-for-like
Maxi ICA Stormarknad 2,660 4.2% 2.4% 29,508 5.7% 3.4%
ICA Kvantum 2,103 3.4% 3.0% 23,697 4.5% 3.5%
ICA Supermarket 2,612 3.2% 3.2% 30,057 2.2% 2.5%
ICA Nära 1,247 3.8% 4.3% 14,757 2.4% 2.9%
Total 8,622 3.7% 3.1% 98,018 3.8% 3.1%

In November 2015, sales in the Swedish ICA stores totalled SEK 8,622 million excluding VAT, which is an increase of 3.7% compared with the same month in the previous year. Sales in January-November 2015 amounted to SEK 98,018 million, an increase of 3.8% compared with the previous year.

At 30 November 2015, the number of ICA stores in Sweden was 1,306. Store sales for December will be published on 12 January 2016 at 08.45 CET.

To see all publication dates in 2016, please visit ICA Gruppen’s website http://www.icagruppen.se/en/investors/calendar.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:45 CET on Tuesday, 8 December, 2015.

SOURCE:  ICA Gruppen AB

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ICA Gruppen presents strategic priorities for 2016

Solna, Sweden, 2015-12-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen presents its strategic priorities for 2016. The aim is to continue to develop, improve and grow our business.

Compared with 2015, three new priorities have been added and three have been removed. Some of the priorities have been adjusted to suit the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead.

ICA Gruppen’s strategic priorities for 2016 can be summarised in ten points:

  • Develop leading CRM and build a common Swedish loyalty program
  • Ensure competitive pricing and fair price perception
  • Build ICA’s overall health offering and position
  • Strengthen the Non Food offering, leveraging Hemtex (new for 2016)
  • Build a leading omnichannel offering across OpCos and platforms
  • Further strengthen our position in the Baltics
  • Drive efficiency throughout the value chain, with focus on store operations and digitalisation (new for 2016)
  • Improve IT development through closer business integration and new ways of working (new for 2016)
  • Integrate ICA’s common values and improve talent management
  • Drive sustainable customer choices and climate-smart operations

The three priorities from 2015 below have been removed as strong and stable progress has been made and/or they are concluded projects:

  • Develop and implement large logistics infrastructure projects
  • Implement IT outsourcing project
  • Further strengthen and grow the Private Label offering

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08.00 CET on Friday 4 December 2015.

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen AB

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ICA Gruppen to expand and renovate its central warehouse and head office for Rimi Baltic

Solna, Sweden, 2015-12-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — ICA Gruppen has decided to expand and renovate its central warehouse and head office for Rimi Baltic. The investment will amount to an estimated EUR 75 million, equivalent to around SEK 700 million, and will be implemented between 2016 and 2018. The new warehouse will allow for an entirely new infrastructure for the whole Baltic market.

EUR 64 million of the total investment is for the warehouse renovation and EUR 11 for the offices. The property is in Riga and after the expansion it will be 94,500 m2in size, a net increase of 35,000 m2compared to the situation today, which comprises both owned and rented warehouse space. Under the investment plan around two thirds will be invested in 2016 and 2017, and the remainder in 2018.

When the central warehouse is expanded, warehousing operations in Latvia will be consolidated to the facility in Riga, and the central warehousing department for the Baltic countries will be expanded.

With the strong growth taking place in the Baltics, the current warehouse and offices in Latvia are no longer adequate. In addition to adding more space, the investment will enable the buildings to be modernised and adapted to today’s needs.

Rimi Baltic is a grocery retailer operating in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through the store concepts Rimi Hypermarket, Rimi Supermarket, Supernetto and Säästumarket. Sales in 2014 amounted to SEK 11,632 million and operating income excluding non-recurring items was SEK 383 million.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 8.30 a.m. CET on Friday 4 December 2015.

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen AB

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ICA Gruppen: HUI revised its Retail Sales Index (Detaljhandelsindex – DHI) for Q2 and Q3 of this year

Solna, Sweden, 2015-11-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — HUI has revised its Retail Sales Index (Detaljhandelsindex – DHI) for the second and third quarters of this year. The Retail Sales Index is used by ICA Gruppen to assess the performance of ICA stores compared to the market in general. The new figures show that sales in the Swedish ICA stores grew at a slower rate than the market in the second and third quarters of this year.

The change is due to the fact that HUI has revised its growth rate for the market. Growth in the grocery retail sector was higher than HUI had previously assessed. The market’s growth has been revised upwards from 1.7% to 3.0% for the second quarter and from 2.9% to 4.2% for the third quarter. ICA’s sales for these quarters have not been revised.

HUI’s revised figures for the market from April onwards affect the values for the market in the second and third quarters, and thus also the accumulated values for January to October. ICA had accumulated growth including VAT of 3.8% from January to October. HUI now assesses that the market grew by 3.9% over the same period.

For more information
ICA Gruppen press service, telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 12.30 CET on Monday 30 November 2015.

SOURCE: ICA Gruppen