Axfood: Axfood's sales rises by 1.0 percent in December

Axfood's sales rises by 1.0 percent in December Consolidated net sales* (excluding VAT) totalled SEK 2,629 m (2,602), an increase of 1.0% compared with the same period a year ago. Net sales for stores in Sweden owned by the Group increased by 1.9% for the month of December, with an 1.9% increase in like-for-like sales. Sales for the period January-December 2006 rose 4.0%, with a 1.0% rise in like-for-like sales. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 28,808 m (28,086), an increase of 2.6%. Net sales for Axfood's stores (wholly owned and franchise units) rose 5.3%, with a 1.3% rise in like-for-like sales. Hemköp's sales decreased by 9.1% during the month, with a 2.3% decrease in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales decreased by 6.1%, with a 0.2% decrease in like-for-like sales. Net sales for Hemköp's stores (wholly owned and franchise units) decreased 4.0% during the month, with an 1.1 % decrease in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales rose 0.2%, with a 1.1% rise in like-for-like sales. Willys' sales increased by 8,4% during the month, with a 4.0% rise in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales increased by 9.9%, with a 1.6% rise in like-for-like sales. Willys hemma's sales decreased by 8.7% during the month, with a 2.9% decrease in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales decreased by 5.0%, with a 3.1% decrease in like-for-like sales. For further information, please contact: Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, +46-70-569 66 33 Kenneth Wall, Director of Investor Relations, +46-703-124 122 Axfood AB conducts retail trade through the wholly owned store chains Hemköp, Willys and Willys hemma, comprising more than 220 stores, and wholesale trade through Dagab and Axfood Närlivs. In addition, Axfood collaborates with a number of proprietor-run stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements. These include stores within the Hemköp chain as well as stores run under the Handlar'n and Tempo profiles. In all, Axfood collaborates with over 500 proprietor-run stores. Axfood is listed on the Nordic Large Cap list of the OMX Nordic Exchange. Axel Johnson AB is the principal owner, with approximately 46% of the shares. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/f.aspx?id=370632&fn=wkr0001.pdf The entire release