Further proceedings of SOK’s acquisition of Spar Finland

Finnish Competition Authority is continuing proceedings of SOK’s acquisition of Spar Finland. 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. The Finnish Competition Authority announced on 7 October 2005 that it is initiating further proceedings of SOK’s purchase of the shares in Spar Finland. These further proceedings, called phase two, can take maximum three months. Axfood’s earlier estimate was that the sale of the shares would be carried out in November 2005. Since the Finnish Competition Authority has not come to a decision, the sale of shares will not be carried out during November. Axfood’s estimate remains that the sale of the shares will be carried out during the phase two proceedings, which is due to be completed on 7 January 2006 at the latest. 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