STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 29, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Thomas Stromer new president of Willys hemma
Thomas Stromer has been appointed as the new president of Willys hemma. Stromer is currently head of operations at Axfood Narlivs, comprising 24 cash and carry outlets and with annual sales of SEK 1.7 billion. Tommy Kvist, currently president of Willys hemma, will be leaving his position on 1 October 2003, at which time Thomas Stromer will take office.
"Willys hemma is currently in a phase in which the focus is on stabilizing operations and improving profitability in the chain's 45 existing stores rather than on building up a nationwide chain," comments Mats Jansson, President and CEO of Axfood AB. "The change in presidents is being made against this background."
Thomas Stromer, 52, has dedicated his entire career to the retail food business and distribution in various management positions. He will be a member of Axfood's executive management.
For further information, please contact:: Mats Jansson, President and CEO, Axfood AB, tel. +46-8-553 99 810 Kenneth Wall, Information Manager, Axfood, tel. +46-8-553 998 20, +46- 703-124 122
See also: www.axfood.se
Axfood AB is one of the largest listed food wholesale are retail companies in the Nordic market. The company conducts retail trading through the wholly owned store chains Hemkop, Willys and Willys Hemma, and wholesale trading through Dagab and Axfood Narlivs. In addition, Axfood cooperates with a large number of independent grocers tied to Axfood through franchise or other agreements. In all the Group comprises approximately 500 stores in Sweden, of which 220 are wholly or partly owned. Consolidated annual sales are approximately SEK 33 billion, with approximately 8,500 full-time employees. Axfood has some 300 stores in Finland, of which 80 are wholly owned and the remainder are operated by independent grocers. The market share is 18% in Sweden and approximately 8% in Finland. Axfood AB is listed on the O-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange among the Attract 40 shares. Axel Johnson AB is the principal owner, with approximately 45% of the shares.
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