Interim Report 1 January - 30 March 2003

Interim Report, Axfood AB (publ.) 1 January-31 March 2003 · Axfood's consolidated sales amounted to SEK 7,956 m (7,990), a decrease of 0.4%. Adjusted for Easter sales, which were during the first quarter in 2002, sales increased by approximately 1.9%. Retail sales for Axfood's wholly owned businesses in Sweden rose by 11.4% during the first quarter. · Operating profit for the period January-March was SEK 206 m (234). · Profit after net financial items was SEK 185 m (205). · Axfood has signed an agreement on the sale of the company's Swedish real estate holdings. The transaction will be carried out on 30 April and is expected to generate a capital gain of approximately SEK 110 m during the second quarter. · Axfood expanded its wholly owned retail business by seven new stores during the first quarter. The stores are expected to generate approximately SEK 900 m in annual sales. For further information, please contact: Mats Jansson, President and CEO, +46-8-553 998 10, mobile +46-70-569 48 11 Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President, Deputy CEO and CFO, +46-8-553 998 11, mobile +46-70-569 66 33 Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, +46-8-553 998 17, mobile +46-70-629 66 34 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/04/23/20030423BIT01000/wkr0001.doc The full report http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/04/23/20030423BIT01000/wkr0002.pdf The full report