Axfood's sales January -- August 2003


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 3, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood:

Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 13.2% for the month of August, of which same-stores increased by 3.6 %. Consolidated net sales for August totalled SEK 2,852 m (2,896), a decrease by 1.5% compared with the same period a year ago.

Under the period January-August 2003 the increase was 14.5% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.7%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 22,240 m (21,897), an increase of 1.6%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 18,766 m (18,132) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,474 m (3,765).

Hemkop's sales decreased by 3.2% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 3.7%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.8%, of which same stores increased by 1.7% Willys grew its sales by 24.5% during the month, of which same stores increased by 3.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.3%, of which same stores increased by 4.1%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 14.4% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 24.2%, of which same stores decreased by 0.6% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 11.4% and in local currency a decrease by 11.0%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.7%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.6%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 12.8%, of which same stores decreased by 12.3%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.7% of which same stores decreased by 9.7%.

Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:


                         Jan-Aug   Jan-Aug   Change
                            2003      2002
                          SEK m.    SEK m.        %
 Hemkop                    4,007     4,164    -3.8%
 Willys                    6,921     5,435    27.3%
 Willys hemma                866       697    24.2%
 Spar Finland              3,474     3,765    -7.7%
 Dagab 1)                 12,003    11,549     3.9%
 Axfood Narlivs            3,201     3,175     0.8%
 Other 2)                  1,111     1,359   -18.2%
 Internal sales 3)        -9,343    -8,247    13.3%
 Total                    22,240    21,897     1.6%

 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 3,076 m (2,491).
 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies
    and joint-Group functions.
 3) Of which Dagab SEK 8,487 m (7,304).

* 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: 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, Corp Comms
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/2003/09/03/20030903BIT00460/wkr0001.doc

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/03/20030903BIT00460/wkr0002.pdf