Axfood´s sales January-August 2003

Axfood's sales January-August 2003 Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 13.2% for the month of August, of which same-stores increased by 3.6 %. Consolidated net sales for August totalled SEK 2,852 m (2,896), a decrease by 1.5% compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-August 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 22,240 m (21,897), an increase of 1.6%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 18,766 m (18,132) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,474 m (3,765). Hemköp's sales decreased by 3.2% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 3.7%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.8%, of which same stores increased by 1.7% Willys grew its sales by 24.5% during the month, of which same stores increased by 3.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.3%, of which same stores increased by 4.1%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 14.4% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 24.2%, of which same stores decreased by 0.6% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 11.4% and in local currency a decrease by 11.0%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.7%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.6%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 12.8%, of which same stores decreased by 12.3%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.7% of which same stores decreased by 9.7%. Sales per business operation are broken down as follows: Jan-Aug Jan-Aug Change 2003 2002 SEK m. SEK m. % Hemköp 4,007 4,164 -3.8% Willys 6,921 5,435 27.3% Willys hemma 866 697 24.2% Spar Finland 3,474 3,765 -7.7% Dagab 1) 12,003 11,549 3.9% Axfood Närlivs 3,201 3,175 0.8% Other 2) 1,111 1,359 -18.2% Internal sales 3) -9,343 -8,247 13.3% Total 22,240 21,897 1.6% 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 3,076 m (2,491). 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions. 3) Of which Dagab SEK 8,487 m (7,304). * 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: 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, 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/2003/09/03/20030903BIT00460/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/03/20030903BIT00460/wkr0002.pdf