Axfood's Sales, January-November 2002


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 5, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- For stores in Sweden owned by the Group, the increase was 6.8% for the month, of which same stores accounted for 2.1%. Consolidated net sales(a) (excluding VAT) for the month of November totaled SEK 2,730 m (2,773), a decrease of 1.6% compared with the same period a year ago.

Net sales for the period January-November 2002 totaled SEK 30,111 m (29,402), an increase of 2.4%. For stores owned by the Group, the increase was 10.1% in Sweden, of which same stores accounted for 3.7%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 25,038 m (24,216) and Spar Finland for SEK 5,073 m (5,186).

Hemkop's sales fell by 5.2% during the month, of which same stores increased by 0.4%. Accumulated sales decreased by 2.3%, of which same stores decreased 1.7%.

Willys grew its sales by 14.9% during the month, of which same stores increased by 2.6%. Accumulated sales increased by 21.3% of which same stores increased by 7.1%.

Willys Hemma grew its sales by 26.8% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 10.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 12.3%, of which same stores decreased by 8.2%.

Spar Finland's accumulated sales fell by 2.2% and in local currency a decrease by 1.5%. For comparable stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 2.2% during November, of which same stores decreased by 4.1%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease in local currency was 1.9% for the period January-November, of which same stores decreased by 1.3%.


Sales per business operation are                                        
broken down as follows:
                                                                        
                                     Jan-Nov 2002  Jan-Nov 2001   Change
                                           SEK m.        SEK m.        %
Hemkop                                      5,687         5,818    -2.3%
Willys                                      7,595         6,259    21.3%
Willys Hemma                                1,006           896    12.3%
Spar Finland                                5,073         5,186    -2.2%
                                                                        
Dagab (1)                                  16,251        13,681    18.8%
                                                                        
Axfood Narlivs                              4,334         4,239     2.2%
                                                                        
Other (2)                                   1,918         2,159   -11.2%
                                                                        
Internal sales (3)                        -11,753        -8,836(b) 33.0%
Total                                      30,111        29,402     2.4%
                                                                        

(1) Of which direct distribution SEK 3,487 m (2,044).

(2) Includes Axfood Franchise, Axfood Private Label, support companies
    and joint-Group functions.
(3) Of which Dagab SEK 10,391 m (7,660).

(a) The figures are preliminary, definite figures will currently be 
    presented at www.axfood.se under Financial Information.

(b) Internal sales for November 2001 is corrected with SEK -67 m

Preliminary sales figures will be presented on the following dates:

Dec. & Jan. 6/2 (quarterly report), Feb. 5/3, March 23/4 (quarterly report), April 6/5, May 4/6, June 23/7 (interim report), July 5/8, August 3/9, Sept. 23/10 (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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The following files are available for download:


www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/05/20021205BIT00750/wkr0001.doc
www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/05/20021205BIT00750/wkr0002.pdf