Per-Erik Burud
Per-Erik Burud | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Drammen, Norway |
| Died | July 13, 2011 (aged 48) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Leader of the grocery chain Kiwi |
Per-Erik Burud (15 October 1962 – 13 July 2011) was a Norwegian billionaire and the leader of the grocery chain Kiwi. He became involved with Kiwi in 1991 and, by 2007, ranked as Norway's 134th wealthiest individual with assets totaling NOK 1.1 billion.
Early life
At the age of five, Burud assisted in his father's store located in Drammen, where he helped by sorting bottles and packaging clementines. He later pursued business studies and was actively engaged in gymnastics.
Kiwi
Burud invested in Kiwi in 1991 when the chain consisted of only eight outlets. Through his guidance, the company experienced substantial growth: by 2008, both the number of stores and staff had nearly quadrupled, while revenues increased six times over. In 2007, Kiwi operated 413 locations; this expanded to 450 stores with a workforce of 8,000 employees and a turnover reaching NOK 20 billion by 2011.
He gained recognition for pioneering marketing approaches. In 2000, Burud introduced a promotion that offered every fifth pack of diapers at no cost, igniting fierce price competition within Norway's diaper sector. At the same time, Kiwi pledged to compensate customers with free products if expired goods were discovered on its shelves. In 2007, he launched a campaign covering the VAT on 14% of fresh fruit and vegetable sales, pushing authorities to consider making this tax relief permanent.
Boating accident
On 13 July 2011, Burud disappeared following a boating incident near Tjøme, where his wife was confirmed deceased. Authorities presumed him dead that same evening. After an extensive search effort, a body was recovered on 21 July and officially identified as Burud the next day.