Interim Report Axfood AB 1 January-30 September 2011

Third quarter summary

- Axfood’s consolidated sales for the period July–September totalled SEK8,735 m (8,582), an increase of 1.8%.

- Retail sales for Group-owned stores rose 0.1% during the period. Like-for-like sales decreased by 1.2%.

- Operating profit for the period was SEK370 m (364).

- Profit after financial items was SEK362 m (357) for the period.

- Profit after tax for the period was SEK267 m(262), and earnings per share were SEK 5.09 (5.00).

- The work on converting Vi stores to Hemköp has begun.

- Axfood Närlivs entered into a cooperation agreement with Svenska Statoil.

- Axfood’s goal for 2011 is to achieve an operating profit at least as the same level as 2010.

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 232 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 840 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 approximately 46% of the shares.