Interim Report Axfood AB (publ) for the period 1 January-31 March 2009

Interim Report Axfood AB (publ) for the period 1 January-31 March 2009

- Axfood's consolidated sales amounted to SEK 7,682 m (7,495) for the period, an
increase of 2.5%.

- Retail sales for Group-owned stores rose 3.2% during the period. Like-for-like
sales decreased by 1.0%. The corresponding period a year ago included Easter and
an extra day for the leap year.

- Operating profit for the period January-March was SEK 234 m (240).

- Profit after financial items for the period was SEK 221 m (226).

- Profit after tax for the period was SEK163 m (163), and earnings per share
were SEK 3.10 (3.10).

- Axfood's goal for 2009 is to achieve an operating profit of at least SEK 1
billion.

For further information, please contact:
Anders Strålman, President and CEO, +46-70-293 16 93 
Karin Hygrell-Jonsson, CFO Axfood AB, +46 70-662 69 70
Anne Rhenman-Eklund, IR manager Axfood AB, +46 70-280 64 59

Axfood AB conducts food retail and wholesale trade in Sweden. The Group's retail
operations are conducted through the wholly owned Willys, Hemköp and PrisXtra
chains, comprising 226 stores in all. In addition, Axfood collaborates with a
large number of proprietorrun stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements.
These include stores within the Hemköp and Willys chains as well as stores run
under the Handlar'n and Tempo profiles. In all, Axfood collaborates with some
650 proprietor-run stores. Wholesale business is conducted via Dagab and Axfood
Närlivs. Axfood is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm AB's Large Cap list. Axel
Johnson AB is the principal owner with approximately 46% of the shares.