Kesko's February sales growth 9.7%
KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 14.03.2011 AT 09.00 1(2)
The Kesko Group's sales in February 2011, excluding VAT, totalled 656.5 million, an increase of 9.7%.
In the food trade, sales in February were 303.2 million, an increase of 6.7%. Sales to the K-food store chains were up by 7.4%.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in February were 100.4 million, a decrease of 3.6% compared to the previous year. The sales of the Asko and Sotka chains increased.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in February were 179.3 million, an increase of 15.3%. Sales in Finland were up by 11.3%. Sales abroad increased by 19.5% in terms of euros and by 15.4% in terms of local currencies. In the Baltic countries, sales were up by 21.5%. In Russia, sales increased by 28.6% in terms of euros and by 24.4% in terms of the local currency.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in February were 84.4 million, a comparable increase of 31.8%. VV-Auto's sales in February were 64.6 million, up 35.7%. Konekesko's sales in February were 20.0 million, an increase of 2.7%. Konekesko's comparable sales growth was 20.4%.The discontinued Baltic grain and agricultural inputs trade has been eliminated from the comparable sales.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in February 2011:
| February | 2011 | 1.1. - | 28.2.2011 | |
| million | Change, % | million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 303.2 | 6.7 | 595.4 | 6.9 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 100.4 | -3.6 | 224.5 | -1.1 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 87.5 | 11.3 | 165.1 | 11.9 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries*) | 91.8 | 19.5 | 181.0 | 19.1 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 179.3 | 15.3 | 346.1 | 15.5 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 84.4 | 26.2 | 185.5 | 19.1 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -10.9 | -22.8 | ||
| Grand total | 656.5 | 9.7 | 1,328.6 | 9.3 |
| Finland, total | 559.6 | 8.7 | 1,138.3 | 9.0 |
| Other countries, total | 96.9 | 15.4 | 190.3 | 10.8 |
| Grand total | 656.5 | 9.7 | 1,328.6 | 9.3 |
Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.
*) The reporting of the sales and sales adjustments of the foreign operations of the building and home improvement trade has been harmonised, and sales performance has been calculated based on comparable sales figures.
In February 2011, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 20, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of wholesale selling days in January-February was one more than in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in February was 28, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-February was the same as in the previous year.
The sales from operations in Finland presented in this release include the export sales of the companies in Finland (previously exports were included in the sales of other countries). The comparative figures have been restated to reflect the change in presentation.
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
Paavo Moilanen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility
DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi
