Axfood’s sales January-December 2003

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 11.7% for the month of December, of which same-stores increased by 3.9%. Consolidated net sales for December totalled SEK 3,100 m (2,988), an increase by 3,7% compared with the same period a year ago.

Under the period January-December 2003 the increase was 13.6% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same-stores increased by 3.3%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 33,616 m (33,115), an increase of 1.5%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 28,438 m (27,578) and Spar Finland for SEK 5,178 m (5,537).

Hemköp’s sales decreased by 4.4% during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 0.6%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.5%, of which same-stores increased by 1.4%.

Willys grew its sales by 25.0% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 8.0%. Accumulated sales increased by 25.8%, of which same-stores increased by 4.0%.

Willys hemma grew its sales by 9.7% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 2.9%. Accumulated sales increased by 18.9%, of which same-stores increased by 0.1%.

Spar Finland’s sales increased by 0.7% and in local currency a decrease by 0.1%. Accumulated sales fell by 6.5%, and in local currency a decrease by 6.1%. For stores owned by the Group the increase in local currency was 2.0%, of which same-stores remained unchanged from the year before. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 6,8% of which same-stores decreased by 7.0%.