Axfood's sales for March 2009

Axfood's sales for March 2009

Consolidated net sales for the month of March (excluding VAT) totalled SEK 2,698
m (2,660), an increase of 1.4% compared with the same period a year ago. Net
sales for Group-owned stores rose 0.2% in March, with a 2.5% decrease in
like-for-like sales. Axfood's stores (Group-owned and Hemköp franchises) posted
a 0.2% increase in sales, with a 2.3% decrease in like-for-like sales. 

During the period January-March 2009, sales for Group-owned stores rose 3.2%,
with a 1.0% decrease in like-for-like sales. Consolidated net sales amounted to
SEK 7,682 m (7,495), an increase of 2.5%. Axfood's stores (Group-owned and
Hemköp franchises) posted a 2.8% increase in sales, with a 1.0% decrease in
like-for-like sales. 

Hemköp's sales (Group-owned and franchises) decreased by 3.3% during the month,
with a 3.5% decrease in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales decreased by
2.8%, with a 3.4% decrease in like-for-like sales. 

Sales for Group-owned stores decreased by 5.9% during the month, with a 5.3%
decrease in like-for-like sales. Accumulated sales decreased by 5.0%, with a
5.4% decrease in like-for-like sales. 

Willys' sales rose 2.1% during the month, with a 1.9% decrease in like-for-like
sales. Accumulated sales increased by 4.4%, with a 0.3% increase in
like-for-like sales. 

PrisXtra's sales rose 3.2% during the month, with an 11.5% decrease in
like-for-like sales.

For further information, please contact:
Anne Rhenman-Eklund, IR manager Axfood AB, +46 70-280 64 59
Karin Hygrell-Jonsson, CFO Axfood AB, +46 70-662 69 70

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.