Interim Report Axfood AB, 1 January-31 March 2012

FIRST QUARTER SUMMARY

- Axfood's consolidated sales for the period January-March totalled SEK 8,718 m (8,257), an increase of 5.6%.

- Retail sales for Group-owned stores increased by 2.9% during the period.

- Like-for-like sales increased by 0.2%.

- Operating profit for the period was SEK 248 m (241).

- Profit after financial items was SEK 239 m (233) for the period.

- Profit after tax totalled SEK 177 m (172) for the period, and earnings per share were SEK 3.37 (3.28).

- Axfood Närlivs and EMAB signed a new, three-year cooperation agreement.

- Axfood's goal for 2012 is to achieve an operating profit at the same level as in 2011.

For further information, please contact:
Anders Strålman, President and CEO, 46-70-293 16 93
Karin Hygrell-Jonsson, CFO Axfood AB, 46 70-662 69 70
Anne Rhenman-Eklund, Head of Corporate Communications Axfood AB, 46 70-280 64 59

Axfood AB conducts food retail and wholesale business in Sweden. Retail business is conducted through the wholly owned store chains Willys, Hemköp and PrisXtra, comprising 239 stores in all. In addition, Axfood collaborates with a number of proprietor-run stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements. These include stores within the Hemköp and Willys chains as well as stores run under the Handlar’n and Tempo profiles. In all, Axfood collaborates with approximately 820 proprietor-run stores. Wholesaling is conducted through Dagab and Axfood Närlivs. Axfood is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm AB's Large Cap list. Axel Johnson AB is the principal owner, with 50,1% of the shares.