SwedenQuick Facts
Overview
Axfood is Sweden's second-largest food retailer, with a market share of approximately 27% and sales exceeding SEK 84 billion. The company was formed in May 2000 through a merger of Hemköp and D&D Dagligvaror, simultaneously acquiring Spar Sverige and Spar Inn Snabbgross. The driving force behind the consolidation was Axel Johnson AB, the family-owned holding company of the Ax:son Johnson dynasty, which remains the principal owner with 50.1% of shares.
Today, Axfood operates five main business segments: Willys (Sweden's largest discount grocery chain), Hemköp (mid-market grocery with e-commerce), City Gross (hypermarket format, fully acquired in 2024), Snabbgross (restaurant and foodservice wholesale), and Dagab (the group's supply chain, purchasing, and logistics backbone). The group runs 389 company-owned stores and 258 franchise locations, with over 700 additional collaborating retailer-owned stores.
Axfood has invested heavily in automation and logistics. Its highly automated distribution centre in Bålsta, commissioned in 2023, is one of the most advanced grocery logistics facilities in the Nordics. The company has also been a leader in sustainability, with 27.2% of sales from sustainability-labelled products in 2024.
Stock Listings
| Exchange | Ticker | ISIN |
|---|---|---|
| Nasdaq Stockholm | AXFO | SE0006993770 |
Axfood has been publicly listed since 1997 (originally as Hemköp). The stock is included in the OMX Stockholm Large Cap index.
Major Shareholders
Axel Johnson AB holds a controlling 50.1% stake, making the Ax:son Johnson family the dominant shareholder. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and private shareholders.
| Shareholder | Stake | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Axel Johnson AB (Ax:son Johnson family) | 50.1% | Controlling owner |
| Cliens Kapitalförvaltning AB | ~1.6% | Swedish fund manager |
| Nordea Investment Management | ~1.5% | Nordic institution |
| ODIN Forvaltning AS | ~1.1% | Norwegian fund manager |
| Spiltan Fonder AB | ~0.6% | Swedish fund manager |
| Free float (institutional + retail) | ~45.1% | Public shareholders |
Store Chains & Subsidiaries
Retail Chains (Group-Owned)
Supply Chain & Logistics
Franchise & Partner Chains
Other Brands & Interests
Private Label Brands
Ownership Chain
The remaining 49.9% is publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm. The Axel Johnson Group also owns Dustin (50.1%), Martin & Servera, and Axel Johnson International.
Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Axfood founded through merger of Hemköp and D&D Dagligvaror. Willys Cash and LL:s Livs consolidated under Willys brand. |
| 2003 | Private label assortment launched at Willys and Hemköp. |
| 2009 | Garant private label brand introduced (organic & quality focus). |
| 2016 | E-commerce launched at Willys and Hemköp. |
| 2017 | Acquired Mat.se, Middagsfrid, Eurocash, and Apohem. |
| 2019 | Construction began on automated logistics centre in Bålsta. |
| 2021 | Acquired Bergendahls Food; obtained 9.9% stake in City Gross. |
| 2023 | Bålsta logistics centre fully commissioned. |
| 2024 | Full acquisition of City Gross completed, adding hypermarket segment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources
- Axfood — Axfood in Brief (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Axfood — Organisation (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Axfood — Our History (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Axfood — Investors (accessed 10 March 2026)
- MarketScreener — Axfood Shareholders (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Axel Johnson — History (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Axfood (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Ax:son Johnson family (accessed 10 March 2026)