Interim Report Jan-Sept 2003

Interim Report, Axfood AB (publ.) 1 January-30 September 2003 · Retail sales for Axfood's wholly owned businesses in Sweden rose 14.5% during the first three quarters of the year, with same-store sales rising 3.7%. Axfood's consolidated sales during the period amounted to SEK 24,972 m (24,535), an increase of 1.8 %. · Continued positive development for Willys, the wholesale business, private label products and central purchasing. · Operating profit for the period January-September was SEK 760 m (752). Operating profit includes a capital gain of SEK 110 m on the sale of real estate (25). Operating profit for the third quarter was SEK 242 m (302). · Axfood's financial position has been further strengthened. Interest-bearing net debt has decreased from SEK 1,349 m to SEK 561 m. · Profit after tax was SEK 494 m (437). Earnings per share were SEK 9.28 (8.22). 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 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/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00750/wkr0001.doc The full report http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00750/wkr0002.pdf The full report