The Ica has already being successfully employed – are aiming at Lithuania – Svenska Dagbladet

Photo: Gorm Kallestad/TT

Handelsstoppet depends in the discussions about the acquisition of the Lithuanian chain IKI.

– No decisions yet, ” says Ola Fernvall, head of media relations at the Ica.

It was not the intention that the information would come out. But it leaked out in the Lithuanian press, and then was the Ica had to contact the exchange. The result was that the share handelsstoppades directly at börsöppningen on Friday.

Ica wants to grow in the Baltic states, ” says Ola Fernholm.

” We have been in the Baltic states in ten years, it is nothing new. It is a part of the Ica which contributes good profitability.

– We believe in the Baltic countries, we have plans to grow there. Lithuania is the country where we are the least.

IKI is the second the greatest retail chain in Lithuania. It is privately owned, and not listed on any trading venue.

– In this process, you don’t know where it will end. We want to communicate when there is something concrete, ” says Ola Fernvall.

Trading resumed after half an hour.

Analysts, the SvD spoken with are quite positive to Ica to buy IKI. But there is no jätteaffär, stresses the. In any case, not for Ica.

– When it comes to acquisitions so it depends always on how big the price tag is, ” says Fredrik Ivarsson, an analyst at Kepler Cheuvreux

There are also a clear correlation between profitability and market share, he notes.

– Probably has IKI slightly lower profitability than the Ica. But if it will be improved with the help of the Ica so it can be a great deal, ” he says.

Lithuania baltic country where Ica has the lowest market share. Thus fits the deal good, say the analysts, because the Ica has stated that it wants to grow in the Baltic countries. This deal would, if it is, make that the Ica will have more stores outside of residential areas.

– Rigid counted will the Ica have just under 25 per cent market share after the deal, a bit behind the market leader. Will certainly a shop to unite with the non-compete clauses, which means that stores in some areas to be switched again.