Axfood’s sales January 2005

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 1.3 % for the month of January, of which same-stores decreased by 3.7 %. The calendar effect was -2.2 %. The price effect for January is not yet determined. For December it was -0.7 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 2,514 m (2,673), a decrease by 5.9 % compared with the same period a year ago. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 2,156 m (2,274) and Spar Finland for SEK 358 m (399). Hemköp’s sales decreased by 6,1 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 7.4 %. Willys grew its sales by 6.4 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 2.0 %. Willys hemma decreased its sales by 9.2 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 10.2 %. Spar Finland’s sales decreased by 10.3 % or by 9.6 % in local currency during the month. For stores owned by the Group the sales, in local currency, was unchanged compared with the same period a year ago. Same-stores decreased by 8.8 %. 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