KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 15.05.2012 AT 09.00 1(2)
The Kesko Group's sales in April 2012, excluding VAT, totalled €799.3 million, showing a decrease of 1.4%.
In Kesko's food trade, sales in April were €363.0 million, an increase of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Sales to the K-food store chains were up by 2.0%. The sales of Pirkka products to K-food stores increased by 11.6%. The sales of Kespro Ltd grew by 1.0%.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in April were €114.5 million, an increase of 2.8%. The sales of Anttila, Asko and Sotka grew compared to the previous year. K-citymarket's sales of home and speciality goods decreased.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in April were €253.3 million, an increase of 4.8%. Sales in Finland were up by 8.1%. Sales abroad increased by 1.7% in terms of euros. Sales grew particularly in Russia. Sales in Sweden decreased.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in April were €81.2 million, a decrease of 29.3%. VV-Auto's sales in April were €47.0 million, down 40.1%, which was attributable to the car tax change effective from 1 April 2012. Konekesko's sales in April were €34.2 million, a decrease of 5.9% compared to the previous year.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in April 2012:
| April | 2012 | 1.1. - | 30.4.2012 | |
| € million | Change, % | € million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 363.0 | 1.9 | 1,382.8 | 5.4 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 114.5 | 2.8 | 487.3 | 5.2 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 126.0 | 8.1 | 431.8 | 7.7 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries | 127.3 | 1.7 | 461.0 | 9.5 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 253.3 | 4.8 | 892.8 | 8.6 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 81.2 | -29.3 | 443.0 | 10.6 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -12.6 | -54.6 | ||
| Grand total | 799.3 | -1.4 | 3,151.3 | 7.1 |
| Finland, total | 656.7 | -2.5 | 2,646.1 | 6.1 |
| Other countries, total | 142.6 | 4.2 | 505.1 | 12.4 |
| Grand total | 799.3 | -1.4 | 3,151.3 | 7.1 |
Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.
In April 2012, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 19, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of selling days in January-April was one more than in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in April was 27, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-April was one more than in the previous year.
Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group's retail sales quarterly, in connection with the interim reports.
Further information is available from Vice President, Corporate Controller Eva Kaukinen, tel. +358 1053 22338.
Kesko Corporation
Merja Haverinen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility
DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi (http://www.kesko.fi/)
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Kesko Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
