Kesko's sales increased in April by 8.1%
KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 13.05.2011 AT 09.00 1(2)
The Kesko Group's sales in April 2011, excluding VAT, totalled 810.6 million, showing an increase of 8.1%.
In the food trade, sales in April were 356.1 million, an increase of 13.0% compared to the previous year. Sales to the K-food store chains were up by 15.5%. The sales performance was partly attributable to Easter season sales falling in March in the comparative year. The sales of Pirkka products increased in April by 37.0%.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in April were 111.4 million, a decrease of 0.3% compared to the previous year. The sales of the Asko and Sotka chains and K-citymarket home and speciality goods increased.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in April were 241.6 million, an increase of 2.1%. Sales in Finland were down by 5.1%. Sales abroad increased by 9.8% in terms of euros and by 8.5% in terms of local currencies. In the Baltic countries, sales were up by 5.5%. In Russia, sales increased by 12.7% in terms of euros and by 14.9% in terms of the local currency.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in April were 114.8 million, a comparable increase of 19.4%. VV-Auto's sales in April were 78.4 million, up 13.3%. Konekesko's sales in April were 36.4 million, an increase of 21.3%. Sales development was particularly good in the agricultural machinery trade. Konekesko's comparable sales growth was 34.5%.The discontinued Baltic grain and agricultural inputs trade has been eliminated from the comparable sales.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in April 2011:
| April | 2011 | 1.1. - | 30.4.2011 | |
| million | Change, % | million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 356.1 | 13.0 | 1,312.2 | 6.3 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 111.4 | -0.3 | 463.2 | -1.6 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 116.5 | -5.1 | 400.8 | 6.4 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries*) | 125.1 | 9.8 | 421.0 | 15.9 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 241.6 | 2.1 | 821.8 | 11.1 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 114.8 | 15.8 | 400.5 | 17.7 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -13.3 | -54.9 | ||
| Grand total | 810.6 | 8.1 | 2,942.8 | 7.7 |
| Finland, total | 673.8 | 7.8 | 2,493.2 | 7.0 |
| Other countries, total | 136.8 | 9.9 | 449.6 | 12.0 |
| Grand total | 810.6 | 8.1 | 2,942.8 | 7.7 |
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 April 2011, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 19, which was one less than in the previous year. The total number of wholesale selling days in January-April was the same as 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 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
Merja Haverinen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility
DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi
