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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