Kesko's sales in March increased by 12.2%
KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 16.04.2012 AT 09.00 1(2)
The Kesko Group's sales in March 2012, excluding VAT, totalled 901.7 million, showing an increase of 12.2%.
In Kesko's food trade, sales in March were 375.7 million, an increase of 4.2% compared to the previous year. Sales to the K-food store chains were up by 4.8%. The sales of Pirkka products to K-food stores increased by 16.0%. The sales of Kespro Ltd grew by 5.7%.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in March were 138.3 million, an increase of 8.7%. The best sales growth was achieved by K-citymarket's home and speciality goods and Kenkäkesko.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in March were 255.6 million, an increase of 9.2%. Sales in Finland were up by 4.8%. Sales abroad increased by 13.7% in terms of euros. Sales growth in Russia, in terms of euros, stood at 23.3%.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in March were 147.9 million, an increase of 47.5%. VV-Auto's sales in March were 121.3 million, up 63.6%. The sales performance is partly attributable to the car tax change effective from 1 April 2012. Konekesko's sales in March were 26.9 million, showing a 2.6% increase.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in March 2012:
| March | 2012 | 1.1. - | 31.3.2012 | |
| million | Change, % | million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 375.7 | 4.2 | 1,019.8 | 6.7 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 138.3 | 8.7 | 372.8 | 6.0 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 125.0 | 4.8 | 305.8 | 7.6 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries | 130.7 | 13.7 | 333.7 | 12.8 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 255.6 | 9.2 | 639.5 | 10.2 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 147.9 | 47.5 | 361.8 | 26.6 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -15.8 | -42.0 | ||
| Grand total | 901.7 | 12.2 | 2,351.9 | 10.3 |
| Finland, total | 759.7 | 11.5 | 1,989.4 | 9.3 |
| Other countries, total | 142.1 | 16.0 | 362.5 | 15.9 |
| Grand total | 901.7 | 12.2 | 2,351.9 | 10.3 |
Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.
In March 2012, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was 22, which was one less than in the previous year. The total number of wholesale selling days in January-March was one more than in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in March was 31, which was the same as in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-March 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
