Axfood's Sales January -- April 2003


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood Net sales(a) (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 22.4 % for the month of April, of which same stores increased by 8.5%. Consolidated net sales for April totalled SEK 2,908 m (2,645), an increase of 10.0% compared with the same period a year ago.

Under the period January -- April 2003 the increase was 14.1% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores accounted for 3.4%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 10,864 m (10,635), an increase of 2.2%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 9,192 m (8,878) and Spar Finland for SEK 1,672 m (1,757).

Hemkop's sales increased by 4.2% during the month, of which same stores increased by 8.0%. Accumulated sales decreased by 4.1%, of which same stores increased by 1.1% Willys grew its sales by 35.1% during the month, of which same stores increased by 9.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.3%, of which same stores increased by 3.5%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 33.7% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.9%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.5%, of which same stores decreased by 3.3% Spar Finland's sales increased by 0.4% and in local currency a decrease by 0.2%. Accumulated sales fell by 4.8%, and in local currency a decrease by 5.2%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 6.0%, of which same stores decreased by 5.2%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 6.6% of which same stores decreased by 6.7%.

Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:


                   Jan-April Jan-April  Change
                        2003      2002
                      SEK m.    SEK m.       %
 Hemkop                2,021     2,108   -4.1%
 Willys                3,290     2,584   27.3%
 Willys hemma            427       335   27.5%
 Spar Finland          1,672     1,757   -4.8%
 Dagab 1)              5,928     5,568    6.5%
 Axfood Narlivs        1,494     1,454    2.8%
 Other 2)                728       668    9.0%
 Internal sales 3)    -4,696    -3,839   22.3%
 Total                10,864    10,635    2.2%
 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 1,471 m (1,100).
 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support 
    companies and joint-Group functions.
 3) Of which Dagab SEK 4,116 m (3,380).

(a) The figures are preliminary, definite figures will currently be presented at www.axfood.se under

Financial Information.

Preliminary sales figures will be presented on the following dates: May 4/6, June 23/7 (interim report), July 5/8, August 3/9, Sept 22/10 (quarterly report), Oct 5/11, Nov 3/12

For further information, please contact: Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, tel. +46-8-553 998 11, +46-70-569 66 33 Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Comms, tel. +46-8-553 998 17, +46-70-629 66 34

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