What has happened: At the beginning of the year, the company's management announced that a cost program was launched to reduce complexity and change the internal structures. The goal was set to reduce expenses by SEK 100 million per year.
Now, the part of the program concerning personnel has been completed. A total of 100 people from the headquarters have left the business. At the same time, 20 new roles have been created, resulting in a net decrease of 80 full-time positions.
The streamlined organization is taking shape after a period where Lyko has focused on various technical investments. In recent years, the company has invested SEK 500 million in an automated warehouse in Vansbro and in new platforms. These systems are intended to create conditions for working more scalably in the future.
It has been a great effort that has affected the entire organization. We have carried it out in as respectful and orderly a manner as possible, and I would like to extend a special thank you to everyone involved, not least to the trade union organizations who have been closely involved throughout the process, says Rickard Lyko, CEO and founder.
Financial Development and Cost Savings
The remaining parts of the savings program continue according to the established plan.
During the last full financial year, the full year 2025, Lyko's turnover increased by 11 percent to SEK 4 billion. At the same time, operating profit amounted to SEK 78 million. The first quarter of 2026 showed a different development, with turnover decreasing by 4.8 percent to SEK 875 million, while operating profit landed at SEK 4 million.
The changes in the organization have also extended beyond Sweden's borders. Earlier this year, the local offices in the Netherlands and Germany were closed, and sales in the European markets are now controlled from the headquarters in Sweden.
In addition to the staff reductions, the company has introduced a new standard for payment terms of 60 days for its suppliers in order to manage its liquidity and a net debt of SEK 456.6 million.
It has been a tough period, we have had to make decisions that have affected many employees, and these are decisions you never take lightly. But what we are doing now lays the foundation for the next level of Lyko, where we can fully focus on our customer offering and continue to grow profitably, says Rickard Lyko.
Focus on Future Growth
The reduction in office staff marks the end of a phase, and now the company will use the capacity created by the previous investments. Warehouse automation has been transferred to the line organization and no further investment projects are planned in the near future.
Instead, the focus is on managing the existing structure and amortizing the company's bank loans to reduce indebtedness. At the same time, the focus on own brands continues, which increased their sales by 14 percent to SEK 75 million during the first quarter of 2026.