Interim Report For the period January 1 € March 31, 2000

Interim Report For the period January 1 - March 31, 2000 AxFood has been proposed as the new name of Hemköpskedjan AB. Consolidated sales increased by 4.2 percent, to SEK 5.7 bn. The periods are not comparable, since Easter sales last year took place during March. Operating income amounted to SEK 52 m (SEK 59 m). Income after financial items amounted to SEK 5 m (SEK 47 m). Earnings were charged with SEK 27 m in structural costs and development expenditures, and SEK 25 m in transaction costs related directly to the merger. During the second quarter, AxFood acquired two Swedish discount chains with combined sales of approximately SEK 2 bn, and a majority shareholding in Spar Finland Abp. A restructuring program is currently being developed and will be presented by August 8 at the latest. For further information, please contact: Mats Jansson, President and CEO, tel. +46-8-700 66 30 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/11/20000511BIT00800/bit0001.doc Full report http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/11/20000511BIT00800/bit0002.pdf Full report