18th Feb 2009 13:35
X5 RETAIL GROUP
COMPLETES REBRANDING OF ALL PEREKRESTOK HYPERMARKETS INTO KARUSEL
OPENES A NEW KARUSEL HYPERMARKET IN MOSCOW
TOTAL NUMBER OF KARUSEL HYPERMARKETS REACHES 47
Amsterdam, 18 February 2008 - X5 Retail Group N.V., Russia's largest retailer in terms of sales (LSE ticker: "FIVE"), announced today that the rebranding of Perekrestok hypermarkets has been completed and all X5's
hypermarkets now operate under the Karusel brand.
The rebranding has been carried out in record time: three pilot projects were successfully completed by the end of 2008, while the remaining 14 Perekrestok hypermarkets were re-launched under the Karusel brand within one month in 2009.
The Company is also pleased to report that it has opened a new Karusel hypermarket in Moscow. As a result, the total number of Karusel hypermarkets under X5 management reached 47 stores that are located in 16 regions of the European part of Russia and the Urals.
Lev Khasis, X5 Retail Group CEO, commented:
"Now that we have rebranded all hypermarkets as Karusel, we will focus our efforts on enhancing the format's appeal to consumers particularly in areas that can help them in tougher economic times. This includes pricing strategy, loyalty programs and assortment. Moreover, we are making sure that consumers hear about these exciting changes at Karusel. We have launched advertising and promotional campaigns that are aimed at strengthening consumer awareness of our "everything under one roof" and "low price" concept, and will create enthusiasm for Karusel as the best place for family shopping!"
X5 Retail Group
X5 Retail Group N.V. is Russia's largest retailer in terms of sales. The Company was created as a result of a merger between Pyaterochka (soft discounter chain) and Perekrestok (supermarket chain) on 18 May 2006. In June 2008, X5 acquired Karusel hypermarket chain and substantially strengthened its position in hypermarket format.
As at 31 December 2008, X5 had 1,101 Company-managed stores located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of European Russia, Urals and Ukraine, including 848 soft discount stores, 207 supermarkets and 46 hypermarkets.
As at 31 December 2008, X5's franchisees operated 607 stores across Russia.
Including Karusel on pro-forma basis the Company's net sales for the first nine months of 2008 totaled USD 6,516 mln, gross profit amounted to USD 1,674 mln, EBITDA - to USD 578 mln and net income - to USD 138 mln.
For the full year 2008, X5 Retail Group N.V.'s net retail sales including acquired Karusel stores on pro-forma basis totaled USD 8,844 mln.
X5 Shareholder structure is as follows: Alfa Group - 47.9%, founders of Pyaterochka - 23.1%, X5 Management - 1.9%, treasury shares - 0.1%, free float - 27.0%.
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For further details please contact |
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Anna Kareva IR Director Tel.: +7 (495) 792-3511 e-mail: [email protected] |
Svetlana Vitkovskaya Head of PR Department Tel.: +7 (495) 662-8888, ext. 31 140 e-mail: [email protected] |
Forward looking statements:
This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not only relate to historical or current events. Forward-looking statements often use words such as" anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "expected", "plan", "goal" believe", or other words of similar meaning.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, a number of which are beyond X5 Retail Group N.V.'s control. As a result, actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in these forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of X5 Retail Group N.V. speak only as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any applicable laws or regulations, X5 Retail Group N.V. undertakes no obligation publicly to release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this document that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.
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