The cooperation will start on 1 September and covers purchasing and logistics via Axfood's logistics company Dagab, IT, Hemköp's loyalty programme and marketing. The well known and established Östenssons brand will live on with a clear coupling to Hemköp.

"We are happy to welcome nine well-managed stores to the Hemköp family and our retailer association. Östenssons' stores are a good fit with Hemköp's concept. They feature a wide product assortment and an inspiring experience with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients," comments Thomas Gäreskog, President of Hemköp.

The family company Östenssons was established in 1963 by Gösta Östensson and is now owned by his daughter Karina Lindblad and her husband Håkan Lindblad. The company had sales of SEK 600 m in 2018, with 240 employees. Östenssons has four stores in Motala, with the rest located in Linköping, Vadstena, Skänningen and Borensberg. In addition to its stores Östenssons has a bakery, a central butchering operation and a catering business.

"We are looking forward to our alliance with Hemköp, which will add new competence and give us tools for continued growth. Our passion for food and care in selection of food ingredients are core values we share with Hemköp," says Anders Lindblom, President of Östenssons.

Hemköp comprises nearly 200 stores. Approximately two-thirds of these are retalier-owned, which will be the case for the Östenssons stores. The rest are owned by Axfood.