The Ica group reports an operating profit of 2.2 billion kronor for the second quarter, which can be compared to 2.0 billion for the same period last year.
The turnover was 39.8 billion kronor for the quarter, up from 37.8 billion a year ago.
The positive trend we started the year with continues. Food price inflation has stabilized at a lower level, says Nina Jönsson.
In March, they launched a billion-kronor investment to lower food prices.
The billion-kronor investment in prices affects the operating profit negatively.
But according to Jönsson, the focus remains on having competitive prices on everyday items and keeping the price increases down.
That's the most important thing – that customers feel they get good products at a good price.
We believe that customers will continue to have a tough time. A interest rate cut is expected, but it's still a high cost level, she adds.
What can then affect food prices in the wrong direction? A continued turbulent world with, among other things, a war in Europe, says Nina Jönsson.
It's also about the climate. It's raining a lot and it affects the harvests. It's still not a normal situation.
Given the turbulent global situation, Ica is investing even more in Swedish raw materials to secure food supply.
It's one of our top focus areas right now. We have, for example, increased the proportion of Swedish cheese from 26 to 45 percent, and for meat, beef, and pork, we've gone from 80 to 90 percent.
