Kesko's sales decreased by 15.2% in January

The Kesko Group's sales from continuing operations in January 2009 totalled €661.3

million (excluding VAT), which is down by 15.2% compared with the previous year.

The sales from foreign operations in January were €98.5 million, a decrease of

33.8%. Foreign operations accounted for 15% of the Group's sales.

In January, food trade sales were €287.5 million, representing an increase of 3.6%. Sales

to K-food store chains grew by 4.7%.

Home and speciality goods trade sales totalled €120.7 million, down 3.5%. The sales of

household appliances and furniture decreased. The sales of sports goods and clothing

increased. Anttila's sales were €42.3 million, down 8.6%. The sales of K-citymarket's home

and speciality goods were €43.3 million, up 13.5%. The trend is attributable to the new Kcitymarkets

opened towards the end of 2008.

Building and home improvement trade sales totalled €157.2 million in January, a decrease

of 29.8%. Sales in Finland were down 29.7%. Sales abroad decreased by 29.9% in terms

of euros and by 22.7% in terms of local currencies. In the Baltic countries, sales declined

by 36.2%. Stroymaster's sales in Russia increased by 5.7% in terms of euros and by

24.1% in terms of the local currency.

In car and machinery trade, VV-Auto's sales in January were €80.9 million, which was

32.2% less than in the previous year. The comparable period's sales were increased by

the car tax change effective 1 January 2008. In Finland, first registrations of passenger

cars dropped in January by a total of 46.4%. The market share of passenger cars

represented by VV-Auto was 19.3% (17.3%). Konekesko's sales in January were €26.8

million, down 39.2%.

With effect from 1 January 2009, the Kesko Group's primary reportable segments are the

food trade, the home and speciality goods trade, the building and home improvement

trade, and the car and machinery trade (stock exchange release on 12 December 2008).

On 28 February 2008, the Kesko Group classified Kauko-Telko, and on 31 March 2008,

Tähti Optikko Group as discontinuing operations, which is why the sales of those operating

activities are not included in the above figures.

Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.

In January 2009, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale was 20, which was two

less than in January 2008.

Source: Transportweekly