Axfood reports better than expected sales and operating profit

Regulatory News:

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.

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