ICA Sverige chief executive Eric Lundberg will leave the Swedish grocery business after four years in the role, with ICA Gruppen beginning the search for his successor.

Lundberg will remain chief executive with full responsibility until no later than 28 February 2027, giving the group several months to manage the leadership transition while a replacement is recruited.

The change is significant for Sweden’s grocery sector because ICA Sverige sits at the centre of the country’s largest supermarket network, spanning ICA Nära, ICA Supermarket, ICA Kvantum and ICA Maxi. Grocery Trade News includes ICA at the top of its Sweden supermarket chains analysis.

Lundberg said the mandate he took on when he became chief executive has now been completed and that ICA Sverige has a functioning organisation, a clear strategy and a stronger base for its next phase.

“It has been four intense, developing and rewarding years,” Lundberg said. “Today we have a well-functioning business, a clear strategy and a strong foundation to build on.”

ICA Gruppen chief executive Nina Jönsson said Lundberg would continue leading the business during the recruitment process to preserve continuity.

“ICA Sverige stands strong and is well equipped for the future,” Jönsson said, adding that the group had already started the process of identifying the next chief executive.

The timing of the change comes as ICA Sverige continues to balance price investment, store renewal, digital development and support for its independently operated supermarket network.

ICA’s 2025 business review reported net sales of SEK115.862 billion for ICA Sverige and operating profit of SEK3.447 billion excluding items affecting comparability, equivalent to a 3.0% operating margin.

The company has also said it intends to maintain a high pace of new store openings and refurbishment while continuing development of its central e-commerce platform and the highly automated Brunna online warehouse.

That combination makes the next appointment commercially important. ICA Sverige’s chief executive oversees a business model that differs from many fully corporate supermarket chains because individual ICA retailers own and operate their stores while ICA Sverige provides functions including common purchasing, logistics, marketing communication and store development.

The leadership transition therefore affects not only central strategy but also the relationship between ICA Sverige and the independent retailers that operate the network.

ICA has not yet named candidates for the role or given a timetable beyond Lundberg’s planned departure by the end of February 2027.

The group said it will provide further information once a successor has been appointed.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on an ICA Gruppen leadership announcement published on 21 September 2026. Additional business context was checked against ICA Gruppen’s 2025 company reporting and Grocery Trade News’ existing Sweden supermarket coverage.