Swedish retail group Axfood AB has announced the opening of its representative office in Shanghai.
The new office will work on purchasing from China and Southeast Asia, be a driving force in the build-up of supplier contacts and monitor developments in the markets in China and Southeast Asia.
A large share of the non-food products sold by Axfood's store chains come from China.
Jonas Peterson, purchasing manager for non-food products at Axfood said that by having a location in China, Axfood can assure all aspects of the purchasing process, including relations with suppliers, work environment issues, logistics, quality, delivery times and control of work conditions in factories.
Paterson also said that is important to build the company's own relations in order to be successful doing business in China. He stressed that they want to take a long-term approach to their work with suppliers.
Anders Strålman, president and CEO of Axfood, commented that this venture will enable them to gain first-hand information on the development of matters that affect their business. He was convinced that the establishment of an office in Shanghai will contribute to good business for Axfood.
Axfood's office has been established in close cooperation with the Swedish Trade Council. The office is located on Nanjing Road, Shanghai's main thoroughfare.
Mats Sjödahl, purchasing director of Axfood, Ulf Renée, head of the non-food products business area, and Jonas Peterson were present during the inauguration of the Shanghai office.
Axfood AB conducts retail trade through its wholly owned store chains Hemköp, Willys, Willys hemma and PrisXtra — comprising slightly more than 220 stores — and wholesale trade through Dagab and Axfood Närlivs. In addition, Axfood collaborates with a number of proprietor-run stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements. These include stores within the Hemköp chain as well as stores run under the Handlar'n and Tempo profiles. In all, Axfood collaborates with over 500 proprietor-run stores. Axfood is listed on the Nordic Large Cap list of the OMX Nordic Exchange. Axel Johnson AB is the principal owner, with approximately 46% of the shares.