Hemtex increases market share in Sweden

Hemtex, the leading home textile retail chain in the Nordic region, has demonstrated exceptionally strong sales development during the autumn and the conclusion of 2005 and has further strengthened its position in the Swedish market for home textiles.

This is confirmed by the latest figures from the market research company GfK, which shows that Hemtex’s market share rose to 25.6 percent for the full-year 2005. This is an increase of 3.8 percentage points compared with 2004. “The figures show that we have further strengthened our leading position in Sweden. The sharpest increase can be seen in bed linen, downs quilt/pillows, towels and also in blankets and rugs. We can also confirm that the average price of the products sold has risen. Stores sales during the Christmas trade and year-end sales were particularly favorable,” says Hemtex President, Anders Jansson. In 2005, Hemtex’s total sales in consumers operations (including franchise stores) increased by more than 22 percent in the Swedish market. A further 16 stores have been established compared with the preceding year. Hemtex’s interim report for the period May 2005 – January 2006 will be published on Tuesday, March 7, 2006. The year-end report for 2005/2006 will be published on June 16, 2006 (please note the altered date). For further information, contact: Anders Jansson, President and CEO Hemtex: +46 (0) 33-20 69 00, +46 (0)705-50 82 47 anders.jansson@hemtex.se Visit the Hemtex website at www.hemtex.se