KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 15.04.2013 AT 09.00 1(2)
The Kesko Group's sales in March 2013, excluding VAT, totalled €790.6 million, down 12.3%.
In Kesko's food trade, sales in March were €384.1 million, an increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. The number of delivery days in March was two less than in the previous year.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in March were €121.6 million, a decrease of 12.1%. Due to the timing of Easter holidays, the number of retail selling days in March was two less than in the previous year. In addition to selling days, sales performance was particularly affected by network changes in Musta Pörssi and Intersport Russia as well the decrease in Anttila's sales.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in March were €208.2 million, a decrease of 18.5%. In addition to the weakened market situation and the number of delivery days, sales performance was affected by the changes in the chain in Norway during 2012.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in March were €92.9 million, a decrease of 37.2%. VV-Auto's sales in March were €67.8 million, down 44.1%. In the previous year, sales increased due to the car tax change effective 1 April 2012. The market development for first-time registrations of passenger cars and vans in March was -60%. Konekesko's sales in March were €25.1 million, a decrease of 6.7% from the previous year.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in March 2013:
| March | 2013 | 1.1. - | 31.3.2013 | |
| € million | Change, % | € million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 384.1 | 2.2 | 1,053.4 | 3.3 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 121.6 | -12.1 | 347.7 | -6.7 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 108.4 | -13.2 | 286.0 | -6.5 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries | 99.8 | -23.6 | 284.2 | -14.8 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 208.2 | -18.5 | 570.2 | -10.8 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 92.9 | -37.2 | 253.8 | -29.8 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -16.2 | -41.9 | ||
| Grand total | 790.6 | -12.3 | 2,183.2 | -7.2 |
| Finland, total | 674.1 | -11.3 | 1,861.5 | -6.4 |
| Other countries, total | 116.5 | -18.0 | 321.7 | -11.3 |
| Grand total | 790.6 | -12.3 | 2,183.2 | -7.2 |
Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.
In March 2013, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 20, which was two less than in the previous year. The total number of selling days in January-March was two less than in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in March was 29, which was two less than in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-March was three less than in the previous year.
Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group's retail sales quarterly, in connection with interim reports.
Further information is available from Vice President, Corporate Controller Eva Kaukinen, tel. +358 1053 22338.
Kesko Corporation
Merja Haverinen
Vice President, Corporate Communications
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
