Kesko Food stops providing EAN information to AC Nielsen

Kesko Food has decided to withdraw from its Scantrack agreement with AC Nielsen on providing EAN information. Scantrack is a grocery tracking system which is based on EAN information obtained at store checkout systems and maintained by AC Nielsen.

The system has been long used in several countries, including Finland. All Finnish key operators in the grocery sector and the manufacturing industry participate in the system. Kesko Food's latest agreement with AC Nielsen Finland was signed in 2002.

Kesko Food decided to withdraw from the agreement in accordance with termination clauses due to the recent major structural arrangements in the grocery sector, which have resulted in some significant operators leaving the market. In this situation Kesko Food estimated that it is not in its interests to continue the agreement. The withdrawal decision will have no effect on annual reporting on grocery market shares.

Further information from Ari Akseli, Vice President, Commerce, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 23456.

Kesko is the most versatile provider of trading sector services in the Baltic Sea area. In close cooperation with retailers and other partners it produces retail and wholesale services that are highly valued by customers. Kesko operates in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.