Axfood AB Stocks

Axfood AB, a Swedish company listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (AXFO), was established in May 2000 through the amalgamation of four prominent Swedish grocery store chains: Hemköp, D&D Dagligvaror, Spar Sverige, and Spar Inn Snabbgross.

The company's retail operations are managed through its three primary chains: Willys, Hemköp, and Axfood Snabbgross. These chains encompass a total of 300 group-owned stores across Sweden. Additionally, Axfood collaborates with a vast network of independent stores, operating under various brands such as Hemköp, Handlar'n, Direkten, and Tempo, through contractual agreements. This collaboration extends to approximately 840 independently owned stores.

Axfood's wholesale operations are conducted under the Dagab and Axfood Närlivs brands. As a prominent company, Axfood is listed on the Large Cap list of Nasdaq OMX Stockholm AB. Axel Johnson AB holds majority ownership with a 50.1 percent stake in the company.

Axfood's extensive private label portfolio includes a diverse range of brands, catering to various consumer needs. These brands include Willys, Hemköp, Axfood Snabbgross, Garant, Eldorado (discount food), Såklart (body care, laundry, and cleaning), Prime patrol (meat), Minstingen (baby products), Falkenberg Seafood (seafood products), and Fixa (kitchen supplies).

Furthermore, Axfood actively participates in the European Marketing Distribution, a European purchasing organization for grocery stores, and United Nordic.

Axfood's history began in 1958 with the opening of the first Hemköp store by "Spik-Olle." In 1975, the precursor to Willys, LL:s Livs, was established. Willy Schlees opened his first discount grocery store in Kungsbacka in 1986. The year 2000 marked the formation of Axfood through the merger of Hemköpskedjan, Dagab, and D-gruppen. The Garant private label was introduced in 2008. Axfood became a part-owner of Urban Deli in 2014, acquired a 51% stake in Eurocash in 2016, and purchased Mat.se and Middagsfrid in 2017. Most recently, Axfood acquired City Gross in 2024.

Axfood is a major player in the Swedish food retail market, holding the second-largest market share with a 20% stake. Its key competitors include well-established players like ICA, Coop Forum, and Lidl.

Axfood prioritizes sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), grounding its efforts in its Code of Conduct. The company has set ambitious sustainability goals across six core areas: promoting sustainable products, addressing climate and energy challenges, fostering employee well-being, optimizing transportation, partnering with responsible suppliers, and engaging in broader corporate social responsibility initiatives.

To showcase its commitment, Axfood publishes an annual sustainability report, providing detailed insights into its progress towards leadership in sustainable development. This report outlines specific targets, activities undertaken, and the results achieved.