Axfood´s sales jan-sept 2003

Axfood's sales January-September 2003 Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 14.6% for the month of September, of which same-stores increased by 5.1 %. Consolidated net sales for September totalled SEK 2,741 m (2,638), a increase by 3.9% compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-September 2003 the increase was 14.5% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.7%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 24,972 m (24 535), an increase of 1.8%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 21,095 m (20,346) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,877 m (4,189). Hemköp's sales increased by 1.7% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 6.1%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.3%, of which same stores increased by 1.9% Willys grew its sales by 23.7% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.0%. Accumulated sales increased by 26.9%, of which same stores increased by 4.1%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 12.1% during the month, of which same stores increased by 3.5%. Accumulated sales increased by 23.0%, of which same stores decreased by 0.1% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 2.8% and in local currency a decrease by 2.3%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.4%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.3%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 2.6%, of which same stores decreased by 2.7%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.0% of which same stores decreased by 8.9%. Sales per business operation are broken down as follows: Jan-Sept Jan-Sept Change 2003 2002 SEK m. SEK m. % Hemköp 4 484 4 639 -3,3% Willys 7 789 6 136 26,9% Willys hemma 979 796 23,0% Spar Finland 3 877 4 189 -7,4% Dagab 1) 13 614 13 024 4,5% Axfood Närlivs 3 602 3 558 1,2% Other 2) 1 177 1 539 -23,5% Internal sales 3) -10 550 -9 346 12,9% Total 24 972 24 535 1,8% 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 3,484 m (2,807). 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions. 3) Of which Dagab SEK 9,652 m (8,269). * The figures are preliminary, definite figures will currently be presented at www.axfood.se under Financial info. Preliminary sales figures will be presented on the following dates: 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 Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corp Comms, tel. +46-8-553 998 17, +46-70-629 66 34 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00820/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00820/wkr0002.pdf