Axfood reports better than expected sales and operating profit

Owing to stronger than expected sales and operating profit, Axfood is reporting
selected preliminary figures for the third quarter.

During the third quarter of 2015 Axfood’s sales totalled SEK 10,412 m (9,756),
an increase
of 6.7% compared with the third quarter of 2014. Operating profit for the same
period was
SEK 552 m (453), an increase of 21.9% compared with the third quarter of 2014,
corresponding to an operating margin of 5.3% (4.6%). The profitability
improvement is mainly attributable to strong sales during the quarter.

“We have had a fantastic quarter, with strong sales growth,” comments Anders
Strålman, President and CEO of Axfood. “The increase was considerably better
than the market, which means that we have gained market shares. The strong sales
were better than our expectations and contributed to very good profitability for
the quarter.”

The figures above are preliminary. Definitive figures will be published in
connection with the complete interim report on the previously communicated date,
21 October, at 7:30 am CET.

For further information, please contact:
Cecilia Ketels, Head of Investor Relations, Axfood AB, tel. +46-72-23 606 43

This information is such that Axfood is required to disclose in accordance with
the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication on 12
October 2015 at 07:30 am CET.
Axfood AB conducts food retail and wholesale business in Sweden. Retail business
is conducted through the wholly owned store chains Willys and Hemköp, comprising
258 stores in all. In addition, Axfood collaborates with a large number of
proprietor-run stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements. These include
stores within the Hemköp chain as well as stores run under the Handlar’n and
Tempo brands. In all, Axfood collaborates with approximately 820 proprietor-run
stores. B2B sales are conducted through Axfood Närlivs and the wholly owned
Axfood Snabbgross chain. Wholesaling is conducted through Dagab. Axfood is
listed on Nasdaq Stockholm AB’s Large Cap list. Axel Johnson AB is the principal
owner, with 50.1% of the shares.