[Nettavisen]: Norgesgruppen, which owns Kiwi and Meny, among others, has by far the largest market share in the grocery industry. The man at the top of the group is Johan Johannson, with an ownership share of close to 75 percent. In 2020, he is ranked as Norway’s third richest of Capital, something Nettavisen mentioned in September.
He has a fortune of just over NOK 44 billion – an increase of NOK 4 billion from 2019.
Got billion-dollar business
The billionaire’s fortune has not only come through hard work. Johansson’s father, Knut Hartig, and uncle Torbjørn, inherited half each from the Joh. Johannson AS by his father, and these in turn have passed on to the next generation. As Torbjørn is childless, the entire ownership passed to Johan Johannson and his children, who now own over 74 percent of Norgesgruppen.
Norgesgruppen consists of the grocery chains Meny, Kiwi, Joker, Spar and Nærbutikken, and a total market share of 44 percent in the grocery market, miles ahead of Rema 1000 and Coop.
At the same time, the group has a significant real estate portfolio; The coffee distillery, the kiosk chain Mix and the wholesale company Asko. Through Joh. Johannson Eiendom has also Johannson invested in, among others, Alna Senter and Solon Eiendom.
Have never seen him
But even though Johannson is perhaps the most powerful man in the grocery industry, he maintains an unusually low media profile, especially compared to other major grocery profiles such as Stein Erik Hagen and Odd and Ole Robert Reitan.
He is also not very visible in other contexts.
Bjørn Takle Friis, communications director at Coop, has worked in the grocery industry since 2008, and still enjoys seeing Johan Johannson.
– I have attended most meetings and conferences about Norwegian groceries, but have neither seen him live nor talked to him, says Friis.
– In fact, I’m not sure if he exists, he adds in a humorous tone.
Friis believes the low profile he has chosen is closely linked to the profile Norgesgruppen that the company wants to have.
– Norgesgruppen is an ever-increasing power factor in Norwegian groceries and consciously communicates through its individual chains to divert attention. Johan Johannson has made a fortune selling groceries, which is far from positive for customers who want the cheapest possible food, says Friis and adds:
– These are probably the main reasons why neither I nor so many others will ever have the pleasure of meeting Johan Johannson.
Inherited personality
Wholesale trade expert Odd Gisholt, on the other hand, has met Johannson several times, and thinks he is a pleasant guy. Like Friis, however, he has a theory as to why he is so media-shy.
– It is in a way an inherent modesty. It is probably inherited from his grandfather and father. Johan Johannson is part of the management of the group, but stays in the background, and leaves the day-to-day operations to Rune Hollevik (CEO, journ.anm.), Says Gisholt.
This distinguishes Johan Johannson from, for example, Rema owner Odd Reitan, Gisholt believes.
– Odd Reitan is very big on it and leans forward, and likes to call himself a colonial major. Even though Rema 1000 sells cheap goods, the Reitan family lives on a high footing, says Gisholt.
Neither the Johannson family nor Johan himself thinks so.
– He lives quietly, calmly and modestly, he says.
The online newspaper has been in contact with Norgesgruppen, which informs that Johan Johannson does not want to comment on the case.
Inherited
Johan Johansson has been lucky that his father inherited part of his grandfather’s company. His two aunts did not inherit much from their father. The online newspaper has previously talked to one of Johan’s aunts, Liv Johansson, about this.
Her little brother Torbjørn had previously stated that it was a coincidence that it was the boys in the family who took over the family company, and that it was because the sisters wanted to do other things. That’s not true, according to Liv.
– It does not imply accuracy. My father said, “Women have nothing to do in business.” That message was clear. So what my brother says is not correct, she told Nettavisen.
She said she has not had any good finances in adulthood, and especially when her son was little. It was only when she was almost 70 years old that she inherited something – her parents’ house. It was supposed to be shared between Liv and her sister, but the sister died before.