Axfood's sales October 2004

Axfood's sales October 2004 Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 3.2% for the month of October, of which same-stores decreased by 0.3%. Consolidated net sales for October totalled SEK 2,730 m (2,891), a decrease by 5.6% compared with the same period a year ago. The effect of two fewer delivery days from the wholesale operation and the fact that sales leading up to the All Saint's Day week-end were in November, is expected to have a negative impact on the month's sales compared with a year ago, by approximately 5%. Under the period January-October 2004 the increase was 7.0% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same-stores increased by 3.6%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 28,060 m (27,863), an increase of 0.7%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 23,745 m (23,526) and Spar Finland for SEK 4,315 m (4,337). Hemköp's sales decreased by 2.0% during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 2.8%. Accumulated sales decreased by 0.5%, of which same-stores increased by 1.7%. The Stockholm City store has been closed for rebuilding during the period June-October, and when the same-store changes are corrected with this taken in consideration, the change is +2.2% for the year. Willys grew its sales by 7.7 % during the month, of which same-stores increased by 1.7%. Accumulated sales increased by 12.2%, of which same-stores increased by 5.0%. Willys hemma decreased its sales by 9.4 % during the month, of which same-stores decreased by 8,7%. Accumulated sales decreased by 1.3%, of which same-stores decreased by 1.7%. Spar Finland's sales decreased by 10,9% or by 11,2% in local currency. Accumulated sales decreased by 0.5%, or by 0.6% in local currency. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 0,5%, of which same-stores decreased by 11,7%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency increased by 6,3% of which same-stores decreased by 3.5%. Axfood AB is a retail food group comprising the wholly owned store chains Hemköp, Willys and Willys hemma and wholesale operations through Dagab and Axfood Närlivs. Additionally, Axfood works with a large number of independent merchants who are tied to Axfood by franchising or other agreements. In all the Group comprises some 500 stores in Sweden, of which about 220 are wholly or partly owned. Consolidated annual sales are approximately SEK 33 billion, with approximately 7,800 employees. Axfood has approximately 290 stores in Finland, of which 90 are wholly owned and the remainder are operated by independent merchants. Axfood has a market share of 18% in Sweden and approximately 8% in Finland, making it one of the largest, listed retail food groups in the Nordic region. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange 0-List, Attract 40. Axel Johnson AB is the principal owner with approximately 45% of the shares. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/11/03/20041103BIT21300/wkr0001.pdf The entire release