STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Net sales (see note) (excluding VAT) for stores in Sweden owned by the Group, increased by 7.1% for the month of March, of which same stores decreased by 3.3%. Consolidated net sales for March totalled SEK 2,729 m (2,884), a decrease by 5.4% compared with the same period a year ago. Adjusted for Easter sales, which in 2002 were recorded in March, the increase for the month was 0.9%
Under the period January-March 2003 the increase was 11.4% for stores in Sweden owned by the group, of which same stores accounted for 1.7%. Consolidated net sales totalled SEK 7,956 m (7,990), a decrease of 0.4%. Adjusted for Easter sales, which in 2002 were recorded in March, the increase for the period was 1.9%.Of total sales, the Swedish operations accounted for SEK 6,743 m (6,690) and Spar Finland for SEK 1,213 m (1,300).
Hemkop's sales fell by 10.4% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 6.0%. Accumulated sales decreased by 6.7%, of which same stores decreased by 1.0%
Willys grew its sales by 18.6% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 3.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 24.7%, of which same stores increased by 1.7%.
Willys hemma grew its sales by 25.8% during the month, of which same stores decreased by 3.4%. Accumulated sales increased by 25.4%, of which same stores decreased by 6.0%
Spar Finland's sales fell by 10.5% and in local currency a decrease by 11.7%. Accumulated sales fell by 6.7%, and in local currency a decrease by 6.9%. For stores owned by the Group the decrease (in local currency) was 13.0%, of which same stores decreased by 12.9%. For stores owned by the Group accumulated sales in local currency decreased by 6.8% of which same stores decreased by 7.3%.
Sales per business operation are broken down as follows:
Jan-March Jan-March Change
2003 2002
SEK m. SEK m. %
Hemkop 1,499 1,607 -6.7%
Willys 2,417 1,938 24.7%
Willys hemma 316 252 25.4%
Spar Finland 1,213 1,300 -6.7%
Dagab(a) 4,319 4,153 4.0%
Axfood Narlivs 1,073 1,075 -0.2%
Other(b) 539 494 9.0%
Internal sales(c) -3,420 -2,829 20.9%
Total 7,956 7,990 -0.4%
a) Of which direct distribution SEK 1,080 m (793).
b) Includes Spar Sverige AB, Axfood Private Label, support companies and
joint-Group functions.
c) Of which Dagab SEK 2,997 m (2,496).
NOTE: 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: April 6/5, May 4/6, 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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