STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 23, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Consolidated net sales(4) (excluding VAT) for the month of September totalled SEK 2,638 m (2,551), an increase of 3.4% compared with the same period a year ago. For stores in Sweden owned by the Group, the increase was 9.6% for the month, of which same stores accounted for 3.3%. For stores in Finland owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 1.2% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 2.4%.
Net sales for the period January-September 2002 totalled SEK 24,535 m (23,872), an increase of 2.8%. For stores owned by the Group, the increase was 10.3% in Sweden, of which same stores accounted for 3.8%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 20,346 m (19,639) and Spar Finland for SEK 4,189 m (4,233).
Hemkop's sales fell by 2.2%. The decrease for same stores was 2.2%. Willys grew its sales by 22.4%, of which same stores accounted for 8.0 percentage points. Willys Hemma grew its sales by 8.7%. The decrease for same stores was 8.1%. Spar Finland's sales fell by 1.0% and in local currency a decrease by 1.1%. For comparable stores owned by the Group the decrease was 1.0%.
Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:
Jan-Sept Jan-Sept
2002 2001 Change
SEK m SEK m %
Hemkop 4,639 4,741 -2.2%
Willy's 6,136 5,014 22.4%
Willy's Hemma 796 732 8.7%
Spar Finland 4,189 4,233 -1,0%
Dagab (1) 13,024 10,766 21.0%
Axfood Narlivs 3,558 3,428 3.8%
Other (2) 1,539 1,735 -11.3%
Internal sales (3) -9,346 -6,777 37.9%
Total 24,535 23,872 2.8%
(1) Of which direct distribution SEK 2,807 m (1,566).
(2) Includes Axfood Franchise, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions.
(3) Of which Dagab SEK 8,269 m (5,877).
(4) The figures are preliminary, definite figures will currently be presented at www.axfood.se under Financial Information.
Preliminary sales figures will be presented on the following dates: October 6th November November 5th December
For further information, please contact:
Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, tel. +46-8-553 998 11, +46-70-569 66 33
Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-553 998 17, +46-70-629 66 34
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