Helsinki, Finland, 2014-4-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Kesko Group’s sales, excluding VAT, in March 2014 totalled €794.3 million, up 0.5%.
In Kesko’s food trade, sales in March were €358.6 million, a decrease of 6.6% compared to the previous year. The fact that Easter fell in March last year affected sales performance.
In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in March were €110.1 million, a decrease of 9.4%. Sales performance was impacted by a decline in department store sales and changes in the Musta Pörssi network. Sotka and Kookenkä increased their sales from the previous year.
In the building and home improvement trade, sales in March were €246.5 million, an increase of 18.4%. In terms of local currencies, sales increased by 24.3%. Sales in Finland increased by 21.7%. Sales abroad increased by 14.8% in terms of euros and by 27.2% in terms of local currencies. Good sales performance can be particularly attributed to successful sales of building supplies and yard and garden products as well as Easter felling in April.
In the car and machinery trade, sales in March were €96.2 million, an increase of 3.6%. VV-Auto’s sales in March were €69.6 million, up 2.6%. Konekesko’s sales in March were €26.6 million, an increase of 5.9% from the previous year.
Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in March 2014:
| March | 2014 | 1.1. – | 31.03.2014 | |
| € million | Change, % | € million | Change, % | |
| Food trade, total | 358.6 | -6.6 | 1,015.2 | -3.6 |
| Home and speciality goods trade, total | 110.1 | -9.4 | 314.7 | -9.5 |
| Building and home improvement trade, Finland | 131.9 | 21.7 | 296.2 | 3.5 |
| Building and home improvement trade, other countries | 114.6 | 14.8 | 297.2 | 4.6 |
| Building and home improvement trade, total | 246.5 | 18.4 | 593.4 | 4.1 |
| Car and machinery trade, total | 96.2 | 3.6 | 278.2 | 9.6 |
| Common operations and eliminations | -17.1 | -43.7 | ||
| Grand total | 794.3 | 0.5 | 2,157.6 | -1.2 |
| Finland, total | 656.5 | -2.6 | 1,805.0 | -3.0 |
| Other countries, total | 137.8 | 18.3 | 352.6 | 9.6 |
| Grand total | 794.3 | 0.5 | 2,157.6 | -1.2 |
Change, % indicates the change over the corresponding period of the previous year.
In March 2014, the number of selling days in Kesko’s wholesale in Finland was 21, which was one more than in the previous year. The total number of selling days in January-March was the same as in the previous year. The number of retail selling days in March was 31, which was two more than in the previous year. The total number of retail selling days in January-March was two more than in the previous year.
Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group’s retail sales quarterly, in connection with interim reports.
Further information is available from Vice President, Group Controller Eva Kaukinen, tel. +358 105 322 338.
Kesko Corporation
Merja Haverinen
Vice President, Group Communications
DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi