Scandinavian health food chain Life has bought eight stores in southern Sweden from Skåne Everkost, one of its own franchisees.
The retailer says that the acquisition is strategically important for the group and is in line with its ambition to be strong in Sweden’s three metropolitan areas. Four of the stores I the latest acquisition are in Malmö, Sweden’s third largest city. The other stores are located in Hyllinge, Hässleholm, Limhamn and Lund.
Life was purchased in October by Fairford Group, the investment company from Norvestor. The retailer currently operate 170 stores in Sweden, half of which are group owned and half operated as member-owned stores.
“We had been talking to Everkost’s owner Gerhard Svensson and he no thinks the time is right to sell the stores,” says Gunnel Åkerman, geo of Life Europe AB. “Since the stores continue to operate as Life Stores, customers will not see such a big difference,” she adds.
Gunnel Åkerman has been president of Life Sweden since 2008 and was appointed managing director of Life Europe AB in December 2017. She comments: “It is important for us to be strong in our three metropolitan areas, with the acquisition we strengthen our position in Skåne,” says Gunnel Åkerman. We will continue to acquire good health stores in attractive locations with high customer traffic. But we are also looking at new establishments.
15 hours ago