Question and answer

Do you have any questions about ICA Gruppen? Start with checking in our list among common questions.

  • Generally
  • Career
  • Sustainability

Generally

How does ICA process my personal data?

It is important for us at ICA Gruppen that you feel confident about how we process your personal data. We are therefore open about how we collect, process and share the information about you that we have stored.

Here you can find information about how ICA Gruppen processing personal data ›

What segments is ICA Gruppen active in?

ICA Gruppen’s operations are divided into segments: ICA Sweden, Rimi Baltic, Apotek Hjärtat, ICA Real Estate and ICA Bank. The core business is grocery retail. Other activities must support the core business and provide scope for further development towards new business opportunities.

How many stores does ICA Gruppen have?

ICA Gruppen has 1,975 wholly-owned or retailer-owned stores and pharmacies in four geographical markets. Its core business is grocery retail. 

What are ICA Gruppen’s geographical markets?

ICA Gruppen is mainly active in four geographical markets: Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Read more ›

When was ICA Gruppen formed?

ICA Gruppen is a new group formed in 2013 – but like its predecessor ICA AB, its core business is grocery retail. In 1917 Hakon Swenson started Hakonbolaget, from which today’s ICA originated. The current ICA logo was created in 1964.

What is ICA Gruppen’s vision?

ICA Gruppen’s vision is to make every day a little easier. Our overall goal is to firmly establish our position as the leading retailer focused on food and health.

What is ICA’s business model?

ICA Gruppen has not just one business model, but several. The idea is to combine the best aspects of entrepreneurship with the best aspects of economies of scale. The ICA concept, in which individual retailers work together to combine diversity and local adaptation with economies of scale and efficiency, remains a cornerstone of the company. At the heart of the ICA Gruppen’s operations is grocery retail, and our grocery stores are our core business. Around our stores we have built up a number of operations which, individually or in combination, contribute to our attractive customer offering and our stable market position. ICA Sweden is a grocery retail business operating throughout Sweden in cooperation with independent ICA retailers. Rimi Baltic is a grocery retailer operating in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. All of the stores are wholly-owned by Rimi Baltic. ICA Bank offers financial services to customers in Sweden. ICA Real Estate’s task is to find appropriate properties in the right locations in Sweden. This is done today through a combination of owning, leasing and strategically developing marketplaces.

Read more ›

Career

Are there any available positions?

Our available positions are posted on the page Available positions ›

How does ICA process my personal data?

It is important for us at ICA Gruppen that you feel confident about how we process your personal data. We are therefore open about how we collect, process and share the information about you that we have stored.

Here you can find information about how ICA Gruppen processing personal data ›

What development opportunities are there for me at ICA?

We offer a wealth of opportunities to develop. ICA Gruppen’s development model presents four different examples of what a journey within ICA can look like. Read more ›

How does ICA work with diversity?

Diversity among our employees is something we value highly, and it has long been a conscious strategy that we prioritize.  Experience shows that workplaces containing people with different backgrounds and skills are more dynamic and innovative than more homogeneous workplaces. We therefore work consciously to ensure that our workplaces are accessible to all, regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, ethnic group, religion or other beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Does ICA offer internships?

More information on how to apply for an internship at ICA can be found here ›

If I want to write my thesis at an ICA store, how do I go about it?

When we have thesis or degree project topics ready, we publish them under Available positions. If you have your own suggestion for a thesis or degree project you can read how to apply under Theses & dissertation ›

What can I work with at ICA?

At ICA we have almost 20 job families and each job family covers many different competencies and roles. Read more ›

What is ICA’s recruitment process like?

ICA’s recruitment process is based on professionalism, long-term thinking and diversity. Through a uniform, structured approach we are able to make sure that we recruit employees with the right skills who fit in with ICA’s values. It is always the manager who has ultimate responsibility for recruitment, supported by HR.

What benefits can ICA offer me?

Benefits and discounts vary depending on where you work in the group. Read more ›

Does ICA offer a trainee programme?

When we offer trainee programmes you will find them under Available positions ›

What should I study if I want to work for ICA?

Read our annual report and click through our website to get a good picture of what ICA Gruppen can offer you and who we are.

Sustainability

How is ICA’s sustainability work governed?

The strategic focus of ICA Gruppen’s sustainability work is set by the Board of Directors and is governed through strategic- and business planning processes. The Board decides on policies for business ethics and sustainability, sustainability reports (annual and quarterly), and follows up business ethics and sustainability issues.

What is ICA’s sustainability strategy?

Sustainability is integrated into ICA Gruppen's Ambition 2030 Group strategy, where one of four overarching ambition areas is to make it easier for customers to make sustainable choices. ICA Gruppen's operations will be industry leaders in their markets, driving development towards reduced climate impact and a more modern and sustainable food supply. They should also be the best in their respective markets when it comes to helping and inspiring customers to make sustainable choices.

Read more about ICA Gruppen’s strategic priorities ›

Is ICA a signatory of the UN Global Compact?

Yes, ICA has been a signatory to the UN Global Compact business initiative since 2004 and takes responsibility for adhering to the Compact’s Ten Principles in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, the Environment, and Anti-Corruption.

Does ICA have a Code of Conduct?

ICA Gruppen has a number of policies that are mandatory for all employees and companies and which clarify rules and requirements for employees. These include a sustainability policy, a business ethics policy, and a customer policy. The requirements we set for our vendors are based on these policies and are laid out in contracts, which include clear wording on product safety, animal welfare, content, traceability, business ethics, the environment and social responsibility.

What is ICA’s largest source of carbon emissions?

From a value chain perspective, a large share of ICA’s total carbon footprint comes from the production of food, and ICA has therefore adopted an ambition to reduce climate impact also from the production and consumption of food.

Read more about ICA Gruppen’s climate targets here ›
Read more about ICA Gruppen’s climate impact here ›

What is ICA doing to reduce its climate impact?

ICA Gruppen is engaged in a multitude of activities to reduce the climate impact from stores, pharmacies, warehouses and offices via e.g., refrigerants, electricity use, goods transports and business travel in both Sweden and the Baltic countries. ICA Gruppen’s own operations have been climate-neutral since 2020 through purchases of carbon offsets to compensate for any emissions that have not been eliminated by other means.

Read more about ICA’s climate ambition here ›
Read more about ICA’s carbon offsetting here ›

What sustainability targets does ICA have?

To drive and monitor its sustainability efforts, ICA Gruppen sets Group-wide targets in the prioritised focus areas. These are complemented by the targets set by each respective company and those set for specific issues.

Read more about ICA Gruppen’s sustainability targets ›

How does ICA work with quality assurance of its products?

ICA’s quality assurance work is grounded in clear routines and processes for ensuring traceability and control regarding its product range and the handling of goods. ICA puts great emphasis on quality assurance of its operations and is at the forefront among grocery retailers with respect to certification. ICA works with audits, traceability checks, reviews of product contents and labelling, product testing and structured quality assurance in both logistics and stores.

How does ICA make sure that its suppliers have good working conditions?

ICA Gruppen’s firm conviction is that all trade shall be conducted in a manner that respects human rights. ICA Gruppen sells products from around the world and needs to know where the products come from and under what conditions they were produced. ICA Gruppen does not accept discrimination, infringement of the right to organise and collectively bargain, child labour, forced labour, or other failures to comply with human rights. This is made clear in the company’s policies and in contracts with all suppliers. ICA Gruppen is also represented out in the world to better be able to collaborate with suppliers, control production and advocate for change through training initiatives, projects and partnerships with other industry actors. ICA Gruppen’s requirements are based on the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) core conventions. ICA Gruppen also supports Consumer Goods Forum’s Forced Labour Resolution. The overarching goal is that all of ICA Gruppen’s suppliers of corporate brand products in high-risk countries will have undergone a social audit.

What is ICA’s position on palm oil?

ICA requires all palm oil used in its corporate brand products to be RSPO-certified. In ICA’s private label food products that contain palm oil, only segregated RSPO-certified palm oil is used. This means it is kept separate from uncertified oil throughout the production chain, all the way to the finished product. ICA Gruppen is a member of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) – a non-profit organisation that develops and implements criteria for responsibly produced palm oil, so that it is cultivated in a way that is better for ecosystems and communities – and works with others in the industry to promote more responsibly produced and sustainable palm oil.

What is ICA’s position on soy?

All soy that is used in ICA’s corporate brand products for human consumption, or as feed for meat and dairy producing animals, is responsibly produced. This means that 100% of the soy used for ICA’s private label products is certified according to a reliable standard or is covered by certificates for the corresponding volume. ICA Gruppen is a member of RTRS (Roundtable on Responsible Soy) and in the Swedish platform for risk-identified crops.

What responsibility does ICA take for promoting good food habits?

ICA Gruppen wants to contribute to better public health. By virtue of ICA Gruppen’s size and through cooperation, the various businesses within the Group are well-equipped to reach out and in various ways inspire people to live a healthier life – thereby making a difference to both individuals and society. The health aspects include not only preventive activities in the form of healthy eating habits and regular exercise, but also simple healthcare services and advice on both medicines and personal finances. ICA Gruppen’s shared health ambition identifies three focus areas, and children and young people are priority target groups. On of the focus areas is physical wellbeing – making it easier to live a healthier everyday life.

Increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes has both climate and health benefits. ICA Sweden has therefore set the target that customers’ purchases of fruit and vegetables are to equal the recommended consumption of at least 500 grams per person and day by 2025.

Through products that address issues concerning additives, diets, allergies and lifestyles, we can spread information and inspire customers to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This work is based on official Nordic dietary guidelines and nutritional recommendations.

We also carry on a continuous dialogue with politicians, authorities, trade colleagues and other stakeholders concerning how the retail trade can help reduce public health problems.

How does ICA work with animal welfare?

ICA’s products shall be produced under dignified conditions. Animals may not be treated badly, and natural ingredients shall not be altered without good and well-conceived purposes. We shall ensure good animal care as far as possible. By this we mean that

  • animals shall be treated well and spared from unnecessary suffering and illness.
  • animals shall be housed and cared for in an animal-friendly environment that promotes their health and gives them opportunities to graze naturally.
  • animals shall be given proper care and supervision.
  • we do not accept the use of antibiotics for preventive purposes in animal husbandry.
  • meat from animals that are threatened with extinction may not be sold.
  • we have a positive view of production plants that use third-party systems to ensure satisfactory animal care.
What is ICA’s view of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

ICA Gruppen in general says no to all GMO labelled products, based on a precautionary principle. If we were to approve such a product, it must be based on an obvious customer benefit, ethically acceptable, and safe for humans and the environment. Such approval would be granted by ICA Gruppen’s management team. ICA Gruppen has at this time not approved any GMO labelled product.

What is ICA’s view of additives?

Additives shall be used restrictively and provide clear value added for customers, such as improved nutritional value, safety, ease of handling, appearance and flavour. In content declarations, all ingredients shall be always be listed so that customers can make an informed decision. Certain additives may cause oversensitivity reactions or have other adverse effects. We monitor scientific reports surrounding additives and may choose to restrict their use in our private label products.

We not allow azo dyes in food products. Nor do we allow other colourants in basic foodstuffs such as butter, milk, cereals, flour, sugar, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables.

What is ICA’s approach to sponsorships?

One of ICA’s overall goals is to be a positive force in society. Sponsorships are arranged in cooperation with organizations working for good purposes, healthy ways of living or good and healthy food.

Who should I contact if I want to discuss sponsorships?

The practical matters on sponsorships are handled by each company in ICA Gruppen.

Here you can find contact information on each company ›

What is ICA Gruppen’s position on paying taxes?

ICA Gruppen has a tax policy, that is approved annually by the board. The policy describes guidelines for how tax matters should be handled in the group. ICA Gruppen is compliant with tax law in each country we have business in. All business decisions are taken on a commercial basis and tax effects are a consequence of these decisions.

ICA Gruppen creates jobs and contributes to tax revenues in the local economies where the Group operates.

  • Generally
  • Career
  • Sustainability