KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 18.05.2015 AT 09.00 1(2)
Timing of Easter caused Kesko's sales to decline in April
Kesko Group's sales in April 2015 totalled €764.3 million. In comparable terms excluding Anttila, sales decreased by 3.9% in local currencies. Sales performance was impacted by the timing of Easter wholesale sales in March in contrast to the previous year.
In Kesko's grocery trade, sales in April were €390.4 million, a decrease of 6.3% from the previous year.
In the home improvement and speciality goods trade, sales in April were €276.1 million, and in terms of local currencies, comparable sales excluding Anttila decreased by 1.5%. In Finland, comparable sales decreased by 4.4%. Outside Finland, comparable sales grew by 2.2% in local currencies.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in April were €96.8 million, a decrease of 2.1%. VV-Auto's sales in April were €66.9 million, down 1.7% from the previous year. Konekesko's sales in April were €29.8 million, a decrease of 3.1% from the previous year.
Kesko Group's sales in euros, excluding VAT, in April 2015:
| April | 2015 | Change, % | |
| € million | Change, % | in local currencies excluding Anttila | |
| Grocery trade, total | 390.4 | -6.3 | -6.0 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, Finland | 151.7 | -15.1 | -4.4 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, other countries | 124.3 | -3.0 | +2.2 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, total | 276.1 | -10.0 | -1.5 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 96.8 | -2.1 | -2.1 |
| Common operations and eliminations | 1.1 | ||
| Grand total | 764.3 | -6.9 | -3.9 |
| Finland, total | 618.8 | -8.0 | -5.5 |
| Other countries, total | 145.5 | -2.1 | +3.4 |
| Grand total | 764.3 | -6.9 | -3.9 |
Kesko Group's sales in euros, excluding VAT, in January - April 2015:
| 1.1. | - 30.4.2015 | Change, % | |
| € million | Change, % | in local currencies excluding Anttila | |
| Grocery trade, total | 1,506.3 | -1.4 | -0.6 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, Finland | 591.7 | -8.8 | -2.5 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, other countries | 419.2 | -3.3 | +5.5 |
| Home improvement and speciality goods trade, total | 1,010.9 | -6.6 | +1.0 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 361.6 | -4.1 | -4.1 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -2.3 | ||
| Grand total | 2,876.5 | -3.4 | -0.6 |
| Finland, total | 2,398.1 | -3.2 | -1.8 |
| Other countries, total | 478.3 | -4.6 | +5.3 |
| Grand total | 2,876.5 | -3.4 | -0.6 |
Change, % indicates the change compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
In April 2015, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 20, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of selling days in January- April was the same as in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in April was 27, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-April was the same as in the previous year.
Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group's retail sales quarterly, in connection with interim reports.
Further information is available from Vice President, Group Controller Eva Kaukinen, tel. +358 105 322 338.
Kesko Corporation
Merja Haverinen
Vice President, Group Communications
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