STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 4, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood:
Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 13.5% for the month of May, of which same stores increased by 1.8%. Consolidated net sales for May totalled SEK 2,781 m (2,874), a decrease of 3.2% compared with the same period a year ago. 2.0% of the decrease is due to lower sales within the wholesale operations, as Whitsun last year was recorded in May.
Under the period January-May 2003 the increase was 14.0% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.2%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 13,648 m (13,509), an increase of 1.0%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 11,550 m (11,251) and Spar Finland for SEK 2,098 m (2,258).
Hemkop's sales decreased by 4.6% during the month, of which same stores remained the same as last year. Accumulated sales decreased by 4.3%, of which same stores increased by 1.0% Willys grew its sales by 25.7% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.0%, of which same stores increased by 3.4%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 25.3% during the month, of which same stores increased by 1.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.2%, of which same stores decreased by 2.4% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 15.2% and in local currency a decrease by 14.1%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.1%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.1%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 12.0%, of which same stores decreased by 11.1%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 7.7% of which same stores decreased by 7.6%.
Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:
Jan-May Jan-May Change
2003 2002
SEK m. SEK m. %
Hemkop 2,522 2,634 -4.3%
Willys 4,166 3,281 27.0%
Willys hemma 542 426 27.2%
Spar Finland 2,098 2,258 -7.1%
Dagab 1) 7,405 7,163 3.4%
Axfood Narlivs 1,899 1,890 0.5%
Other 2) 923 842 9.6%
Internal sales 3) -5,907 -4,985 18.5%
Total 13,648 13,509 1.0%
1) Of which direct distribution SEK 1,834 m (1,482). 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions. 3) Of which Dagab SEK 5,162 m (4,403).
* 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: June 23/7 (interim report), July 5/8, 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 Bodil Eriksson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Comms tel. +46-8- 553 998 17/+46-70-629 66 34
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