Willys and Willys hemma to merge

To ensure continued profitability and growth, Axfood has decided to merge its subsidiaries Willys and Willys hemma.

Willys hemma today has 45 stores with a negative sales trend and profitability that has been low for a long period of time. The industry is characterized by strong price pressure, and today reasonable prospects are lacking for Willys hemma to succeed in reversing the negative trend on its own and achieve profitability. It is for this reason that the chain is now being integrated into Willys. "By integrating Willys hemma into Willys, we will be able to lower costs and ensure operating efficiencies, at the same time that we will gain a number of other co-ordination effects," says Anders Strålman, President and CEO of Axfood AB. In total the merger will give rise to annual cost savings of approximately SEK 7 m. The Willys hemma brand will continue to be profiled as previously. Thomas Strömer, currently President of Willys hemma, will continue to work with other duties in the Axfood Group. For further information, please contact: Anders Strålman, President and CEO, Axfood, +46-708-37 88 37 Kenneth Wall, Acting Head of Corporate Communications, Axfood, +46-703-124 122