Axfood´s sales January 2003

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 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, Corporate 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/2003/02/07/20030207BIT01040/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/07/20030207BIT01040/wkr0002.pdf