Axfood’s sales August 2005

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 4.9 % for the month of August, of which same-stores decreased by 2.6 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 2,852 m (2,892), a decrease by 1.4 % compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-August 2005 the increase was 3.4 % for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same-stores decreased by 3.4 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 21,728 m (22,589), a decrease of 3.8 %. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 18,447 m (19,105) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,281 m (3,484). Hemköp’s sales increased by 4.0 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 3.3 %. Accumulated sales increased by 0.3 %, of which same-stores decreased by 5.6 %. Willys sales increased by 5.7 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 1.9 %. Accumulated sales increased by 5.5 %, of which same-stores decreased by 1.8 %. Willys hemma decreased its sales by 1.9 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 9.9 %. Accumulated sales decreased by 4.2 %, of which same-stores decreased by 11.1 %. Spar Finland’s sales decreased by 3.4 % or by 4.8 % in local currency during the month. Accumulated sales decreased by 5.8 %, in local currency the sales decreased by 6.1 % compared with the same period a year ago. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 0.9 %, of which same-stores decreased by 7.2 %. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 0.7 % of which same-stores decreased by 7.7 %.