Finnish Competition Authority initiates further proceedings of SOK’s acquisition of Spar Finland

On 7 September Axfood and SOK Finland signed an agreement on the sale of Axfood’s entire shareholding in Spar Finland Abp. Axfood is the largest shareholder of Spar Finland, with 75.2% of the votes and 69.3% of the capital. SOK’s acquisition is conditional upon approval by the Finnish Competition Authority. Today, 7 October, the Finnish Competition Authority announced that it is initiating further proceedings of SOK’s purchase of the shares in Spar Finland. Axfood estimates that the sale of the shares will be carried out in October 2005. For further information, please contact: Lars Nilsson, Chief Financial Officer, Axfood AB, +46-705-69 66 33 Kenneth Wall, Press Manager, Axfood AB, +46-703-124 122