Axfood's sales January-November 2003

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 8.4% for the month of November, of which same-stores remained unchanged from the year before. Consolidated net sales for November totalled SEK 2,659 m (2,746), a decrease by 3,2% compared with the same period a year ago.

Under the period January-November 2003 the increase was 13.8% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.3%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 30,522 m (30,127), an increase of 1.3%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 25,798 m (25,046) and Spar Finland for SEK 4,724 m (5,081).

Hemköp’s sales decreased by 6.6% during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 3.0%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.4%, of which same stores increased by 1.7%.

Willys grew its sales by 19.7% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 25.9%, of which same stores increased by 3.7%.

Willys hemma grew its sales by 5.8% during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 1.9%. Accumulated sales increased by 19.9%, of which same stores decreased by 0.1%.

Spar Finland’s sales decreased by 10.2% and in local currency a decrease by 8.0%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.0%, and in local currency a decrease by 6.6%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 5.8%, of which same stores decreased by 5.2%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 7.6% of which same stores decreased by 7.6%.