Axfood's sales Jan. -- July 2003


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 5, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood's Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 15.7% for the month of July, of which same-stores increased by 4.3 %. Consolidated net sales for July totalled SEK 2,894 m (2,804), an increase of 3.2% compared with the same period a year ago.

Under the period January-July 2003 the increase was 14.8% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.8%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 19,394 m (19,001), an increase of 2.1%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 16.365 m (15,737) and Spar Finland for SEK 3,029m (3,264).

Hemkop's sales decreased by 3.2% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 2.1%. Accumulated sales decreased by 3.9%, of which same stores increased by 1.4%

Willys grew its sales by 28.9% during the month, of which same stores increased by 5.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.8%, of which same stores increased by 4.3%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 17.0% during the month, of which same stores increased by 1.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 25.8%, of which same stores decreased by 0.8%

Spar Finland's sales decreased by 6.2% and in local currency a decrease by 5.7%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.2%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.1%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 9.4%, of which same stores decreased by 9.2%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.2% of which same stores decreased by 9.2%.

Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:


                  Jan-July         Jan-July        Change
                    2003             2002
                  SEK m.           SEK m.             %
 Hemkop            3,493            3,634            -3.9%
 Willys            5,976            4,675            27.8%
 Willys hemma        755              600            25.8%
 Spar Finland      3,029            3,264            -7.2%
 Dagab 1)         10,530           10,045             4.8%
 Axfood Narlivs    2,802            2,739             2.3%
 Other 2)          1,045            1,176           -11.1%
 Internal
  sales 3)        -8,236           -7,132            15.5%
 Total            19,394           19,001             2.1%

1) Of which direct distribution SEK 2,696 m (2,139).

2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint- Group functions.

3) Of which Dagab SEK 7,421 m (6,319). * 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: August 3/9, Sept 22/10 (quarterly report), Oct 5/11, Nov 3/12

For further information, please contact:

Lars Nilsson, Executive Vice President and CFO, tel. +46-8-553 998 11, +46-70-569 66 33

This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net

The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/05/20030805BIT00340/wkr0001.doc

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/05/20030805BIT00340/wkr0002.pdf


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