Sweden's ICA Gruppen has announced that it will implement organisational changes, from the second quarter of 2019, that will relieve resources and provide scope for future investments.
The changes will lead to approximately 200 positions at the retailer being 'removed', the retailer said.
Negotiation With Trade Unions
The retailer also said that it has initiated negotiations with trade unions relating to this process.
The chief executive of ICA Sweden, Anders Svensson, said, “Of course we understand the concerns this gives rise to among the people whose positions will be removed or changed, and we will take care to carry out the change in the best way possible for everyone involved.”
Flexible Organisation
The move is aimed at creating a more efficient and flexible organisation, with scope for investment in digitalisation and the recruitment of new talent.
“We will now have an organisation that can better meet customers’ and the stores’ expectations and will enable us to continue investing in the areas that are important for winning in the future,” Svensson added.
The company also made a provision of SEK 110 million (€10.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2018 for meeting the structural costs related to the implementation of the changes.
In December of last year, ICA Gruppen said it would increase investments in 2019 to adapt to a rapidly changing market.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
