Axfood’s sales December 2004

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 1.8 % for the month of December, of which same-stores decreased by 2.4 %. Consolidated net sales for December totalled SEK 3,016 m (3,100), a decrease by 2.7 % compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-December 2004 the increase was 6.4 % for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same-stores increased by 2.8 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 33,826 m (33,616), an increase of 0.6 %. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 28,658 m (28,438) and Spar Finland for SEK 5,168 m (5,178). Hemköp’s sales decreased by 5.1 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 5.4 %. Accumulated sales decreased by 0.7 %, of which same-stores increased by 0.9 %. Willys grew its sales by 7.6 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 0.5 %. Accumulated sales increased by 11.6 %, of which same-stores increased by 4.1 %. Willys hemma decreased its sales by 11.7 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 8.1 %. Accumulated sales decreased by 2.5 %, of which same-stores decreased by 2.4 %. Spar Finland’s sales decreased by 2.4 % or by 1.8 % in local currency during the month. Accumulated sales decreased by 0.2 %, in local currency the sales decreased by 0.2 % compared with the same period a year ago. For stores owned by the Group the increase in local currency was 2.5 %, of which same-stores decreased by 7.6 %. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency increased by 6.1 % of which same-stores decreased by 4.1 %. For further information, please contact: Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, +46-70-569 66 33 Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications Axfood, +46 706-29 66 34