Axfood´s sales Jan-July 2003

Axfood's sales January-July 2003 Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 15.7% for the month of July, of which same-stores increased by 4.3 %. Consolidated net sales for July totalled SEK 2,894 m (2,804), an increase of 3.2% compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-July 2003 the increase was 14.8% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.8%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 19,394 m (19,001), an increase of 2.1%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 16.365 m (15,737) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,029m (3,264). Hemköp's sales decreased by 3.2% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 2.1%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.9%, of which same stores increased by 1.4% Willys grew its sales by 28.9% during the month, of which same stores increased by 5.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.8%, of which same stores increased by 4.3%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 17.0% during the month, of which same stores increased by 1.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 25.8%, of which same stores decreased by 0.8% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 6.2% and in local currency a decrease by 5.7%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.2%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.1%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 9.4%, of which same stores decreased by 9.2%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.2% of which same stores decreased by 9.2%. Sales per business operation are broken down as follows: Jan-July Jan-July Change 2003 2002 SEK m. SEK m. % Hemköp 3,493 3,634 -3.9% Willys 5,976 4,675 27.8% Willys hemma 755 600 25.8% Spar Finland 3,029 3,264 -7.2% Dagab 1) 10,530 10,045 4.8% Axfood Närlivs 2,802 2,739 2.3% Other 2) 1,045 1,176 -11.1% Internal sales 3) -8,236 -7,132 15.5% Total 19,394 19,001 2.1% 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 2,696 m (2,139). 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint- Group functions. 3) Of which Dagab SEK 7,421 m (6,319). * The figures are preliminary, definite figures will currently be presented at www.axfood.se under Financial Information. Preliminary sales figures will be presented on the following dates: August 3/9, Sept 22/10 (quarterly report), Oct 5/11, Nov 3/12 For further information, please contact: Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, tel. +46-8-553 998 11, +46-70-569 66 33 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/05/20030805BIT00340/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/05/20030805BIT00340/wkr0002.pdf