STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axfood's sales January -- June 2003: Net sales* (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 17.4% for the month of June, of which same-stores increased by 6.5%. Consolidated net sales for June totalled SEK 2,848 m (2,688), an increase of 6.0% compared with the same period a year ago.
Under the period January-June 2003 the increase was 14.6% for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, of which same stores increased by 3.7%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 16,500 m (16,197), an increase of 1.9%. Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 13,955 m (13,449) and Spar Finland for SEK 2,545 m (2,748).
Hemkop's sales decreased by 2.2% during the month, of which same-stores increased by 3.0%. Accumulated sales decreased by 4.0%, of which same stores increased by 1.2% Willys grew its sales by 30.5% during the month, of which same stores increased by 8.1%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.6%, of which same stores increased by 4.1%. Willys hemma grew its sales by 26.7% during the month, of which same stores increased by 4.8%. Accumulated sales increased by 27.3%, of which same stores decreased by 1.2% Spar Finland's sales decreased by 9.2% and in local currency a decrease by 9.1%. Accumulated sales fell by 7.4%, and in local currency a decrease by 7.4%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 15.4%, of which same stores decreased by 15.9%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 9.1% of which same stores decreased by 9.1%.
Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:
Jan-June Jan-June Change 2003 2002 SEK m. SEK m. % Hemkop 3,007 3,132 -4.0% Willys 5,058 3,963 27.6% Willys hemma 652 512 27.3% Spar Finland 2,545 2,748 -7.4% Dagab 1) 9,026 8,598 5.0% Axfood Narlivs 2,334 2,301 1.4% Other 2) 983 1,009 -2.6% Internal sales 3) -7,105 -6,066 17.1% Total 16,500 16,197 1.9% 1) Of which direct distribution SEK 2,292 m (1,801). 2) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and joint-Group functions. 3) Of which Dagab SEK 6,326 m (5,362). * 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: 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, Corp Comms, tel. +46-8-553 998 17, +46-70-629 66 34
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