Axfood's Sales For the Month of January 2003


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood (Stockholm:AXFO) today announced that for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, the increase was 13.3% for the month of January, of which same stores accounted for 4.7%. Consolidated net sales(a) (excluding VAT) for the month totaled SEK 2,699 m (2,615), a increase of 3.2% compared with the same period a year ago. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 2,300 m (2,205) and Spar Finland for SEK 399 m (410).

Hemkop's sales fell by 5.0% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.1%. Willys grew its sales by 27.2% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.8%. Willys Hemma grew its sales by 27.2% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 6.9%. Spar Finland's sales fell by 2.7% and in local currency a decrease by 2.1%. Net sales for stores owned by the Group (in local currency) was unchanged compared with the same period a year ago. Comparable stores decreased by 1.8%.

Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:



                 Jan-Dec Jan-Dec  Change
                    2002    2001        
                   SEK m.  SEK m.       %
 Hemkop                510     537   -5.0%
 Willys                800     629   27.2%
 Willys Hemma          103      81   27.2%
 Spar Finland          399     410   -2.7%
 Dagab 1)            1,499   1,389    7.9%
 Axfood Narlivs        374     353    5.9%
 Other 2)              194     158   22.8%
 Internal sales 3)  -1,180    -942   25.3%
 Total               2,699   2,615    3.2%
 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 381 m (256).
 2) Includes Axfood Franchise, Axfood Private Label, support 
    companies and joint-Group functions.
 3) Of which Dagab SEK 1,034 m (834).

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


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

This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net

The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/06/20030206BIT00990/wkr0001.doc

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/06/20030206BIT00990/wkr0002.pdf