Organic – from trend to changed buying behaviour

ICA Gruppen today presented its sustainability report for the third quarter of
2015. The report addresses important issues and initiatives regarding the
environment, quality, ethical trade, health and social engagement.
Sales of organic products continued to rise during the third quarter. All in
all, sales of organic products from ICA Sweden’s central assortment increased by
48% (47%) compared with the corresponding period a year ago.

“Today eight out of ten people buy organic products on a regular basis – a
development that can also be seen in our sales figures,” comments Per Strömberg,
CEO of ICA Gruppen. “This is no fleeting trend; rather, it clearly shows a
change in customers’ buying behaviour – driven by changed priorities as well as
a greater offering of organic alternatives. As a major actor in food and grocery
retail we have great opportunities to truly influence our customers in a more
sustainable direction.”

Read more about the following and other news in the sustainability report:

  · “Choose with your heart”

During the quarter, Apotek Hjärtat rolled out its Välj med Hjärtat (“Choose with
your heart”) project, with the overall goal of making it easier for customers to
make more sustainable choices. The project covers purchasing specifications,
display signs and marketing as well as development of private label products.

  · Support to Swedish dairy farmers

In an effort to raise awareness about the crisis in the Swedish dairy industry,
during the quarter ICA Sweden decided to introduce a voluntary “extra milk
krona” for most of the milk sold by ICA stores starting on 21 September and six
months forward. On top of this, ICA Sweden has pledged to donate a lump sum of
SEK 25 million to the cause.

  · Audits of external suppliers

As part of ICA Gruppen’s ongoing sustainability work, during the quarter audits
were conducted of several external suppliers. For example, during the harvest
season in August, independent external audits, ordered by ICA Sweden, were
performed of the work situation in tomato fields of subcontractors to ICA’s
suppliers of processed tomatoes.

For more information

ICA Gruppen press service, Telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities
Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was
submitted for publication at 08.00 CET on Thursday, 12 November 2015.
ICA Gruppen AB (publ) is a leading retail company with a focus on food and
health. The Group includes ICA Sweden and Rimi Baltic which mainly conduct
grocery retail, ICA Real Estate which owns and manages properties, ICA Bank
which offers financial services and Apotek Hjärtat which conducts pharmacy
operations. The Group also includes the portfolio companies inkClub and Hemtex.
For more information see icagruppen.se