In August, the Stockmann Group's strong sales were continued. The Group sales increased by 11 per cent to EUR 124.2 million. The best percentage increase was reported by Seppälä, up 16 per cent. In Finland, Seppälä's sales were up 2 per cent, while sales abroad were up 59 per cent. The strong sales growth in all market areas was based both on good like-for-like growth and expansion of the retail network, especially in Russia. Sales by Hobby Hall were up 11 per cent. In Finland, sales were up 10 per cent, while sales abroad were up 15 per cent. Sales by the Department Store Division were up 10 per cent. In Finland, sales were up 8 per cent, and sales abroad were up 19 per cent. The good sales growth abroad was contributed, for instance, by the sales of the new department store opened in Moscow in February and expansion of the Bestseller chain in Russia. Sales figures in August August January-August January- December change change 2007 2006 perc. 2007 2006 perc. 2006 Me Me 07/06 Me Me 07/06 Me Department Store 65.9 61.3 7.6 518.0 495.2 4.6 832.2 Division, Finland Department Store 24.1 20.3 19.1 202.0 170.7 18.4 286.9 Division, international operations Department Store 90.0 81.5 10.5 720.0 665.9 8.1 1 119.0 Division, total Hobby Hall, Finland 16.5 14.9 10.2 105.6 104.5 1.1 167.2 Hobby Hall, 3.2 2.8 14.9 24.8 20.7 19.6 32.6 international operations Hobby Hall, total 19.7 17.8 10.9 130.4 125.2 4.1 199.8 Seppälä, Finland 9.5 9.3 1.5 77.8 79.2 -1.8 123.5 Seppälä, international 4.9 3.1 58.5 30.9 21.3 45.5 34.6 operations Seppälä, total 14.4 12.4 15.7 108.7 100.5 8.2 158.1 Real estate + others 0.1 0.1 -7.1 0.6 0.6 -8.6 0.9 Operations in Finland, 91.9 85.6 7.4 701.9 679.5 3.3 1 123.7 total* International 32.3 26.2 23.3 257.7 212.6 21.2 354.1 operations, total Stockmann total* 124.2 111.8 11.1 959.6 892.2 7.6 1 477.8 * The figures do not include the sales by the Stockmann Auto division that was divested at the beginning of March 2006. If the sales by Stockmann Auto in January-February 2006 are included in the comparison figures, the change of sales in per cent was: January-August 2007 change perc. Operations in Finland, total -6.9 Stockmann total -0.8 STOCKMANN plc Hannu Penttilä CEO DISTRIBUTION OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki Principal media