Axfood's Sales January-October 2002


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Consolidated net sales (a) (excluding VAT) for the month of October totalled SEK 2,848 m (2,757), an increase of 3.3% compared with the same period a year ago. For stores in Sweden owned by the Group, the increase was 11.5% for the month, of which same stores accounted for 4.1%.

Net sales for the period January-October 2002 totalled SEK 27,383 m (26,629), an increase of 2.8%. For stores owned by the Group, the increase was 10.5% in Sweden, of which same stores accounted for 3.9%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 22,731 m (21,907) and Spar Finland for SEK 4,652 m (4,722).

Hemkop's sales fell by 0.2% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 0.2%. For the period January-October sales decreased by 2.0%, of which same stores decreased 2.0%. Willys grew its sales by 18.8% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.6%. For the period January-October sales increased by 22.0% of which same stores increased by 7.6%. Willys Hemma grew its sales by 30.5% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 7.3%. For the period January-October sales increased by 10.9%, of which same stores decreased by 8.0%. Spar Finland's sales fell by 1.5% for the period January-October and in local currency a decrease by 1.1%. For comparable stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 0.2% during October, of which same stores decreased by 1.5%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 1.9% for the period January-October, of which same stores decreased by 1.0%.

Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:


                   Jan-Oct   Jan-Oct        
                      2002      2001  Change
                    SEK m.    SEK m.       %
 Hemkop               5,158     5,261   -2.0%
 Willy's              6,874     5,635   22.0%
 Willy's Hemma          903       814   10.9%
 Spar Finland         4,652     4,722   -1.5%
 Dagab (1)            14,668    12,148   20.7%
 Axfood Narlivs       3,964     3,836    3.3%
 Other (2)             1,742     1,948  -10.6%
 Internal sales (3)  -10,578    -7,735   36.8%
 Total               27,383    26,629    2.8%

(1) Of which direct distribution SEK 3,148 m (1,764).

(2) Includes Axfood Franchise, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions.

(3) Of which Dagab SEK 9,346 m (6,692).

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

Preliminary sales figures for November will be presented on 5th December.


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 Communications
tel. +46-8-553 998 17/+46-70-629 66 34

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The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/06/20021106BIT00970/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/06/20021106BIT00970/wkr0002.pdf