Kesko's sales were up 7.1% in September


KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 14.10.2008 AT 11.00 1(2)

Kesko's sales were up 7.1% in September

The Kesko Group's sales from continuing operations in September
2008 totalled €830.4 million (excluding VAT) and showed an
increase of 7.1% over the corresponding period of the previous
year. In January-September, the sales from continuing operations
were €7,368.2 million (excluding VAT), up 5.4%. The sales from
foreign operations in September were €191.2 million, a decrease of
3.8%. Foreign operations accounted for 23% of the Group's sales.

In September, Kesko Food's sales were €345.3 million, representing
an increase of 12.4%. Sales to K-food store chains increased by
13.5%. The number of delivery days in September was two more than
in the previous year.

Rautakesko's sales decreased by 2.0% to €229.1 million in
September. Sales in Finland were down 1.8%. Sales abroad decreased
by 2.1%. In the Baltic countries, sales dropped by 5.0%.
Stroymaster's sales in Russia increased by 36.6%.

VV-Auto's sales in September were €78.3 million, which was 33.5%
more than in the previous year. In Finland, first registrations of
passenger cars increased by a total of 0.5% in September. The
market share of passenger cars represented by VV-Auto was 17.5%
(13.1%) and their registrations were up 34.5% on the previous
year.

Anttila's September sales were €40.9 million, a decrease of
11.0%.The sales of Anttila department stores dropped by 14.5% and
those of Kodin Ykkönen department stores by 14.9%. NetAnttila's
distance sales were up 5.7%. The development of sales was affected
by the strong growth in home electronics sales seen in the
previous year, coupled with the prevailing uncertainty among
consumers about economic development.

Kesko Agro's sales in September were €82.1 million, up 11.4%.
Sales in Finland increased by 15.8% due to the growth of animal
feed and chemicals trade. Sales in the Baltic countries grew by
5.2% owing to the grain trade.

The Kesko Group's sales, excluding VAT, in September 2008:

                             September  2008        1.1. - 30.9.200
                                                           8
                             € million   Change,         €   Change,
                                               %   million         %
Kesko Food, Finland              344.1      12.5   3,017.7       5.9
Kesko Food, other countries        1.2      -7.1      11.1      -7.8
Kesko Food, total                345.3      12.4   3,028.9       5.9
Rautakesko, Finland               76.5      -1.8     743.5       0.3
Rautakesko, other countries      152.6      -2.1   1,291.0       7.0
Rautakesko, total                229.1      -2.0   2,034.4       4.4
VV-Auto, Finland                  76.7      39.3     724.4      10.7
VV-Auto, other countries           1.5     -56.7      12.4     -41.4
VV-Auto, total                    78.3      33.5     736.9       9.1
Anttila, Finland                  38.7     -11.6     362.1       0.9
Anttila, other countries           2.2       2.2      15.2      -2.4
Anttila, total                    40.9     -11.0     377.3       0.8
Kesko Agro, Finland               50.0      15.8     412.9      11.1
Kesko Agro, other countries       32.1       5.2     235.6      10.8
Kesko Agro, total                 82.1      11.4     648.5      11.0
Other operating activities,       55.4       3.6     509.0      -0.1
Finland
Other operating activities,        1.7     -72.8      48.7     -20.8
other countries
Other operating activities,       57.1      -4.2     557.6      -2.3
total
Common operations and             -2.4               -15.4          
eliminations
                                                                    
Finland, total                   639.2      10.8   5,756.5       5.2
Other countries, total           191.2      -3.8   1,611.7       5.8
Grand total                      830.4       7.1   7,368.2       5.4
                                                                    

Other operating activities consist of Konekesko, Intersport
Finland, Indoor Group, Musta Pörssi and Kenkäkesko.

On 28 February 2008, the Kesko Group classified Kauko-Telko, and
on 31 March 2008, Tähti Optikko Group as discontinuing operations,
which is why the sales of those operating activities are not
included in the above figures.

Starting from July 2007, Rautakesko's sales figures include the
sales of OMA, the Belarusian subsidiary of Rautakesko's subsidiary
Senukai.

Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of
the previous year.

In September 2008, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale
was 22, which was two more than in September 2007. In January-
September, the total number of wholesale selling days was two more
than in the previous year. The number of retail days in September
was one more than the year before.

Kesko publishes advance information about the K-Group's retail
sales quarterly, in connection with the interim financial reports.

Further information is available from Jukka Erlund, Vice
President, Corporate Controller, tel. +358 1053 22338.


Kesko Corporation



Paavo Moilanen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility


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