Axfood’s sales Mars 2005

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 7.3 % for the month of Mars, of which same-stores increased by 0.7 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 2,804 m (2,897), a decrease by 3.2 % compared with the same period a year ago. Under the period January-Mars 2005 the increase was 3.8 % for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same-stores decreased by 2.1 %. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 7,793 m (8,168), a decrease of 4.6 %. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 6,651 m (6,916) and Spar Finland for SEK 1,142 m (1,252). Hemköp’s sales increased by 3.6 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 3.5 %. Accumulated sales decreased by 1.6 %, of which same-stores decreased by 6.0 %. Willys grew its sales by 10.3 % during the month, of which same-stores increased by 2.9 %. Accumulated sales increased by 7.7 %, of which same-stores decreased by 0.2 %. Willys hemma decreased its sales by 5.2 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 13.1%. Accumulated sales decreased by 6.9 %, of which same-stores decreased by 12.0 %. Spar Finland’s sales decreased by 8.9 % or by 7.6 % in local currency during the month. Accumulated sales decreased by 8.8 %, in local currency the sales decreased by 7.7 % compared with the same period a year ago. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 0.9 %, of which same-stores decreased by 7.6 %. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 1.9 % of which same-stores decreased by 8.9 %.