A strong fourth quarter ends an exceptional year

A strong fourth quarter sums up an exceptional 2020, a year in which Axfood continued to grow faster than the market and with improved profitability. Even though the pandemic has required immense focus, a high pace of development has been successfully maintained and progress in ambitious investments for the future.

President and CEO Klas Balkow’s comments on the year-end report 2020:
 “Axfood’s favourable performance continued during the fourth quarter with 7.4% growth in store sales. High productivity in Dagab and improved delivery reliability laid the foundation for a good Christmas shopping season and a strong close to the year. At the same time, online B2C sales grew by a full 157% and continued to be driven by considerably higher growth for the store pick-up delivery option, Click and Collect. It is gratifying that we managed to end the year with stronger earnings during the fourth quarter and improved profitability. On the tailwinds of a financially strong year we are continuing development in areas such as logistics, with automation and transport optimization, upgraded IT platforms, new checkout systems, more stores and new concepts, a higher degree of digitalization and a more data-driven way of working. We are also stepping up the pace and raising our level of ambition in the area of sustainability with focus on the entire value chain.”

Fourth quarter summary

• Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 13,633 m (13 040), an increase of 4.6%.
• Operating profit totalled SEK 566 m (487), an increase of 16.1%. The operating margin was 4.1% (3.7%).
• Net profit for the period totalled SEK 409 m (359), and earnings per share before dilution were SEK 2.02 (1.68).
• The quarter was characterized by changed shopping behaviour among consumers due to the spread of the coronavirus/Covid-19. An increase in consumption of food at home had a favourable impact on sales. However, certain businesses with exposure to cafés and restaurants as well as cross-border shopping and central locations where customer traffic has decreased significantly continued to be negatively impacted, and to a higher negative extent than during the third quarter.
• In November Snabbgross launched a new B2C store concept, Snabbgross Club.

Summary January-December

• Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 53,696 m (50,740), an increase of 5.8%.
• Operating profit totalled SEK 2,510 m (2,288), an increase of 9.7%. The operating margin was 4.7% (4.5%).
• Net profit for the period totalled SEK 1,862 m (1,679), and earnings per share before dilution were SEK 9.12 (7.87).

Significant events after the balance sheet date

• The Board of Directors proposes an increased dividend of SEK 7.50 per share (7.25). The dividend is split up into two payment occasions.
• Capital expenditures in 2021 are expected to amount to SEK 1,800–1,900 m excluding acquisitions and right-of-use assets.
• During 2021 Axfood plans to establish 5-10 new stores.

Axfood will present the 2020 year-end report in a conference call at 9.30 a.m. (CET) today.
The report will be presented by Klas Balkow, President and CEO, and Anders Lexmon, CFO.
To follow the presentation, visit www.axfood.com or ring: Sweden: +46 8 566 427 06, UK: +44 333 300 9030, USA: +1 833 823 0590




For further information, please contact:
Alexander Bergendorf, Head of Investor Relations, Axfood AB, tel +46 730 49 18 44

The information herein is such that Axfood AB (publ) is required to make public in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person listed above, at 7 a.m. CET on 4 February 2021.

This document is an English translation of the Swedish original. In the event of any discrepancies, the Swedish version shall govern.         

Axfood aspires to be the leader in good and sustainable food. Our family of companies includes the store chains Willys and Hemköp as well as Tempo and Handlar’n. B2B sales are handled through Snabbgross, and our support company Dagab is responsible for the Group’s product development, purchasing and logistics. The Axfood family also includes Mat.se, Middagsfrid and Urban Deli as well as the partly owned companies Apohem and Eurocash. Together the Group has more than 10,000 employees and sales of more than SEK 50 bn. Axfood has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 1997, and the principal owner is Axel Johnson AB. Read more at www.axfood.com.