Axfood’s sales January 2003

For stores in Sweden owned by the Group, the increase was 13.3% for the month of January, of which same stores accounted for 4.7%. Consolidated net sales* (excluding VAT) for the month totalled SEK 2,699 m (2,615), a increase of 3.2% compared with the same period a year ago. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 2,300 m (2,205) and Spar Finland for SEK 399 m (410).
Hemköp’s sales fell by 5.0% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.1%.
Willys grew its sales by 27.2% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.8%.
Willys Hemma grew its sales by 27.2% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 6.9%.
Spar Finland’s sales fell by 2.7% and in local currency a decrease by 2.1%. Net sales for stores owned by the Group (in local currency) was unchanged compared with the same period a year ago. Comparable stores decreased by 1.8%.
Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:


Jan Jan Change 2003 2002 SEK m. SEK m. %Hemköp 510 537 -5.0%Willys 800 629 27.2%Willys Hemma 103 81 27.2%Spar Finland 399 410 -2.7%Dagab 1) 1,499 1,389 7.9%Axfood Närlivs 374 353 5.9%Other 2) 194 158 22.8%Internal sales 3) -1,180 -942 25.3%Total 2,699 2,615 3.2%

1) Of which direct distribution SEK 381 m (256).
2) Includes Axfood Franchise, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions.
3) Of which Dagab SEK 1,034 m (834).
* 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:
Feb 5/3, March 23/4 (quarterly report), April 6/5, May 4/6, June 23/7 (interim report), July 5/8,
August 3/9, Sept 22/10 (quarterly report), Oct 5/11, Nov 3/12.