NorwayQuick Facts
Overview
NorgesGruppen is Norway's largest grocery retailer, controlling approximately 44% of the domestic grocery market. The group operates over 2,100 stores across the country through five distinct retail formats, ranging from hard-discount to premium supermarkets, plus service retail and the wholesale arm ASKO.
The company traces its roots to 1866, when the Johannson family established Joh. Johannson, a wholesale business importing and distributing coffee and groceries in Norway. In 1994, NorgesGruppen was formed as a joint venture between ASKO (owned by Joh. Johannson) and several retail chains. The Johannson family became majority shareholders when Joh. Johannson was fully incorporated into NorgesGruppen in 2000.
Today, NorgesGruppen employs over 45,000 people representing 70 nationalities. About 46% of stores are company-owned, while the remaining 54% are operated by independent retailers — many of whom are also shareholders in the group. In 2024, the group generated NOK 117.8 billion in revenue (approximately EUR 10 billion), with first-half 2025 sales growing 5.6% to NOK 60.4 billion.
Stock Listings
NorgesGruppen's equity shares are not publicly traded. The company is structured as an ASA (Allmennaksjeselskap, Norwegian public limited company) but its shares are privately held and not listed on any stock exchange. The Johannson family controls 74.4% through Joh. Johannson Handel AS.
NorgesGruppen has, however, issued bonds listed on Oslo Børs (e.g., NORG92 FRN). In 2024, the company received a BBB+ (Positive) credit rating from Nordic Credit Rating, upgraded to A- (Stable) in 2025.
Ownership & Shareholders
NorgesGruppen ASA is controlled by the Johannson family through their holding company Joh. Johannson Handel AS, which owns 74.4% of shares and voting rights. The remaining shares are distributed among approximately 699 other shareholders.
| Shareholder | Stake | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Joh. Johannson Handel AS | 74.4% | Family holding (Johannson family) |
| Independent retailers | ~20% | Store-owning merchants |
| Treasury shares | 2.7% | Company's own shares |
| Other shareholders | ~2.9% | Institutional & other |
Johan Johannson (born 1967), son of Knut Hartvig Johannson, is the controlling figure behind Joh. Johannson Handel AS. He inherited the stake from his father and took over as board chairman of NorgesGruppen in 2022.
Store Chains & Brands
Grocery Retail
Service Retail
Wholesale & Distribution
Ownership Chain
Note: The remaining ~25.6% is held by independent retailers, institutional investors, and treasury shares. NorgesGruppen's unique model means many of its store-owning merchants are also minority shareholders in the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources
- NorgesGruppen — Om NorgesGruppen (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Grokipedia — NorgesGruppen (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Nordic Credit Rating — NorgesGruppen ASA Rating Report 2025 (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Joh. Johannson (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Wikipedia — Johan Johannson (accessed 10 March 2026)
- ESM Magazine — Top 5 Supermarket Chains in Norway (accessed 10 March 2026)
- ESM Magazine — NorgesGruppen Market Share (accessed 10 March 2026)