Kesko Oyj - Company Announcement

Kesko's July sales increased by 6.2%

KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 14.08.2008 AT 12.00 1(2)

The Kesko Group's sales from continuing operations in July 2008
totalled €833.9 million (excluding VAT) and showed an increase of
6.2% over the corresponding period of the previous year. In
January-July, the sales from continuing operations were €5,730.3
million (excluding VAT), up 6.5%. The sales from foreign operations
in July were €190.0 million, an increase of 3.5%. Foreign operations
accounted for 23% of the Group's sales.

In July, Kesko Food's sales were €352.4 million, representing a
growth of 10.6%. Sales to K-food store chains increased by 14.9%.

Rautakesko's sales increased by 2.2% to €234.2 million in July. Sales
in Finland were up by 2.2%. Sales abroad increased by 2.2%. In the
Baltic countries, sales decreased by 2.0%. Stroymaster's sales in
Russia increased by 40.8%.

VV-Auto's sales in July were €74.9 million, which was 3.7% more than
in the previous year. In Finland, first registrations of passenger
cars increased by 7.3% in July. The market share of the passenger
cars represented by VV-Auto was 19.3% (16.7%). The sales trend was
affected by the decrease in the average price of passenger cars.

Anttila's July sales were €46.8 million, a decrease of 4.0%. The
sales of Anttila department stores decreased by 2.2% and those of
Kodin Ykkönen department stores by 14.0%. NetAnttila's distance sales
were up by 11.0%. Households' transition to the digital era increased
sales in the previous year.

Kesko Agro's sales in July were €70.8 million, up 24.3%. Sales in
Finland increased by 27.3% due to the animal feed and chemicals
trade. Sales in the Baltic countries grew by 20.4% owing to the
growth in the agricultural machinery trade.


The Kesko Group's sales, excluding VAT, in July 2008:


                                   July      2008    1.1. - 31.7.2008
                              € million Change, % € million Change, %
Kesko Food, Finland               351.3      10.8   2,333.6       6.2
Kesko Food, other countries         1.1     -22.1       8.9      -4.4
Kesko Food, total                 352.4      10.6   2,342.6       6.1
Rautakesko, Finland                81.7       2.2     590.1       1.9
Rautakesko, other countries       152.5       2.2     984.7      10.4
Rautakesko, total                 234.2       2.2   1,574.8       7.1
VV-Auto, Finland                   73.7       5.3     582.3       9.5
VV-Auto, other countries            1.1     -47.8       9.6     -40.9
VV-Auto, total                     74.9       3.7     591.9       8.0
Anttila, Finland                   45.4      -4.4     280.4       4.4
Anttila, other countries            1.5       9.1      11.4      -0.4
Anttila, total                     46.8      -4.0     291.8       4.2
Kesko Agro, Finland                40.7      27.3     316.7      10.2
Kesko Agro, other countries        30.2      20.4     181.8      16.0
Kesko Agro, total                  70.8      24.3     498.4      12.2
Other operating activities,        51.6      -7.5     398.6       1.4
Finland
Other operating activities,         3.8     -28.9      44.6     -13.0
other countries
Other operating activities,        55.3      -9.4     443.3      -0.2
total
Common operations and              -0.6               -12.5
eliminations

Finland, total                    643.9       7.0   4,491.3       5.7
Other countries, total            190.0       3.5   1,239.0       9.5
Grand total                       833.9       6.2   5,730.3       6.5


Other operating activities consist of Konekesko, Intersport Finland,
Indoor Group, Musta Pörssi and Kenkäkesko.

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.

Starting from July 2007, Rautakesko's sales figures include the sales
of OMA, the Belarusian subsidiary of Rautakesko's subsidiary Senukai.

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

In July 2008, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale was 23,
which was one more than in July 2007. In January-July, the total
number of wholesale selling days was two more than in the previous
year. The number of retail days in July was the same as the year
before.

Kesko publishes advance information about the K-Group's retail sales
quarterly, in connection with the interim financial reports.

Further information is available from Jukka Erlund, Vice President,
Corporate Controller, tel. +358 1053 22338.


Kesko Corporation



Paavo Moilanen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility


DISTRIBUTION
Helsinki Stock Exchange
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