NorgesGruppen and Coop compete for ICA Maxi

According to information Dagligvarehandelen possess, both companies have made careful assessments of each store. All economic factors are studied and analyzed in detail. Should Coop win the bid, it could strengthen its position significantly in eastern Norway. It fits well with comments from the Coop management of "we must have more stores in areas where people move to." ICA Maxi has 11 hypermarkets in greater Oslo, Buskerud, Vestfold, Telemark and Østfold. Both Obs! and Mega (Coop owned chains) can fit in the premises. But if NorgesGruppen makes the highest offer, the company will be able to establish several large Meny grocery stores or KIWI XLs. The latter has been a real success since it opened its first concept store in Drammen, and revenues will be far above budget. In areas where NorgesGruppen has a very high market share, like in the Vestfold region, the company can get an order from the Competition Authority to sell off stores. Speculations abound as to who may then buy. Several point in the direction of the department store chain, Jula. The Swedish chain currently has 48 stores in Norway, Sweden and Poland, and has expansion plans in Norway.  - As we have said earlier, we are under certain circumstances interested to look at Maxi. However, there are many factors in such an assessment, says information director of Coop, Bjørn V. Kløvstad. Executive director of Norgesgruppen, Per Roskifte, refers to the sale of ICA Maxi as a rare opportunity in relation to its properties. - It would be almost unnatural if not all participants took the opportunity to look closely at the chain, says Roskifte to Dagligvarehandelen, without wanting to comment further. Communications director of ICA Norway, Bjørn Takle Friis, says to Dagligvarehandelen  that he can not comment on the sales process concerning Maxi.