Axfood acquires Vivo Mariehallen and Vivo Plus

Axfood has acquired Vivo Mariehallen and Vivo Plus, with combined net sales of SEK 310 million. The stores will be taken over early next year and will be converted to Hemköp.

Vivo Mariehallen, which is the Vivo Group’s second-largest store, is located on Hornsgatan in Stockholm’s Södermalm district, and Vivo Plus is located in Stäket, Järfälla. After the takeover Hemköp will have 11 stores in Stockholm. “This is yet another deal that is entirely in line with Axfood’s strategy of strengthening its position in the Stockholm market,” says Anders Nyberg, head of business development at Axfood AB. In September 2004 Vivo Stockholm announced its intention to change wholesaler from Dagab (Axfood’s wholesale operation) to Bergendahls during the first quarter of 2005. Axfood has delivered a combined total of SEK 1.3 billion in volume to Vivo. During the autumn Axfood acquired four Vivo stores and entered into a cooperation agreement with Vivo Matboden in Rissne, which will be converted to Hemköp. These stores have combined net sales of SEK 537 million. Through these acquisitions and cooperation arrangements, Dagab has recovered 15%-20% of the sales that were expected to be lost as a result of Vivo’s change of wholesaler. For further information, please contact: Anders Nyberg, head of business development, Axfood AB, +46-705-27 37 47 Kenneth Wall, public relations, Axfood AB, +46-703-124 122