2008-08-06 11:45:00 CEST

2008-08-06 11:45:01 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

Stockmann - Interim report (Q1 and Q3)

STOCKMANN plc INTERIM REPORT January 1 - June 30, 2008


STOCKMANN plc
Quarterly report
6.8.2008 at 12.45

STOCKMANN plc INTERIM REPORT  January 1 - June 30, 2008

STOCKMANN'S OPERATING PROFIT IMPROVES SUBSTANTIALLY; INCREASED FINANCIAL
EXPENSES AND THE PROVISION MADE TO COVER CLOSURE OF THE SMOLENSKAYA
DEPARTMENT STORE IN MOSCOW CUT INTO EARNINGS

Stockmann's second-quarter sales were up 66 per cent to EUR 583.9 million.
Compared with the same period a year ago, operating profit more than
doubled in spite of the EUR 14 million provision made to cover closure of
the Smolenskaya department store in Moscow and was EUR 31.4 million. In
January-June, the Stockmann Group's sales grew by 50 per cent to EUR
1 081.5 million (EUR 722.4 million in 2007). Consolidated operating profit
in January-June grew and was EUR 28.8 million (EUR 22.3 million). Net
financial expenses grew as a consequence of the Lindex transaction,
causing profit for the period to fall below the figure a year ago, to EUR
3.6 million. Earnings per share were EUR 0.06 (EUR 0.29). The Group's
earnings estimate for 2008 is unchanged despite the increased uncertainty
of the economic development in the Nordic and the Baltic countries. The
target is that earnings in 2008 will be higher than in the previous year.


Key figures                      4-6      4-6       1-6      1-6          
                                2008     2007      2008     2007      2007
Sales              EUR mill.   583.9    350.7   1 081.5    722.4   1 668.3
Revenue            EUR mill.   483.3    294.2     896.7    605.6   1 398.2
Operating profit   EUR mill.    31.4     14.1      28.8     22.3     125.2
Profit (loss)      EUR mill.    18.1     13.3       4.3     21.4     119.4
before taxes       
Earnings per share EUR          0.27     0.18      0.06     0.29      1.59
Equity per share   EUR             -        -     10.73     9.34     10.66
Cash flow from     EUR mill.       -        -      26.9      2.2     119.9
operating          
activities         
Net gearing        per cent        -        -     131.1     17.4     146.9
Equity ratio       per cent        -        -      36.3     66.7      32.6
Weighted average   thousands       -        -    55 850   55 486    55 606
number of shares   
Return on capital  per cent        -        -      12.2     16.3      12.1
employed, rolling  
12 months          


SALES AND RESULT

Stockmann's consolidated sales grew by 50 per cent to EUR 1 081.5 million
(EUR 722.4 million) in January-June. The bulk of the growth came from
consolidating Lindex's sales figures within the Stockmann Group's sales,
but the Department Store Division and Seppälä also reported higher sales.

Sales in Finland were up 9 per cent to EUR 578.5 million. The Group's
sales abroad amounted to EUR 503.0 million, an increase of 164 per cent.
Excluding Lindex, sales abroad grew by 14 per cent. Sales growth abroad
was retarded by the closure in May of the department store located in the
Smolensky Passage shopping centre in Moscow for the time being, due to the
lessor's unlawful actions. International operations accounted for an
increased share of consolidated sales, rising from 26 per cent to 47 per
cent.

The sale of an unbuilt plot generated EUR 3.7 million of other operating
income.

The Group's gross operating margin grew by EUR 173.1 million to EUR 423.1
million. The relative gross margin was 47.2 per cent (41.3 per cent). The
relative gross margin of Hobby Hall and Seppälä improved, and the Group's
relative gross margin was also boosted by the inclusion of Lindex's
figures within the Group's consolidated accounts. Operating expenses
increased by EUR 153.9 million and depreciation by EUR 16.5 million.

Earnings in the report period were burdened by EUR 1.3 million of expenses
due to closure of the Smolenskaya department store, in addition to which
an impairment loss on inventories of EUR 2.5 million, an EUR 5.7 million
expense provision and extra depreciation of EUR 4.5 million were charged
to second-quarter earnings.

In the report period, the Group's operating profit grew by EUR 6.5 million
to EUR 28.8 million.

Net financial expenses grew by EUR 23.7 million and were EUR 24.6 million
(EUR 0.9 million). Net financial expenses were increased for the most part
by the borrowed capital costs for the Lindex acquisition.

Profit before taxes in the report period was EUR 4.3 million, down EUR
17.1 million on the figure a year earlier. Direct taxes were EUR 0.7
million, decreasing by EUR 4.3 million on the figure a year earlier. Net
profit for the report period was EUR 3.6 million (EUR 16.3 million).

Second-quarter profit grew and was EUR 15.2 million (EUR 10.2 million).

Earnings per share in the report period were EUR 0.06 (EUR 0.29) and
diluted for options, earnings were EUR 0.06 (EUR 0.29). Equity per share
was EUR 10.73 (EUR 9.34).

SALES AND EARNINGS TREND BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Department Store Division

The Department Store Division's sales grew by 7 per cent to EUR 582.3
million in the report period. Sales in Finland were up 4 per cent. Within
international operations, sales were lifted by the good like-for-like
sales growth at the department stores in Russia and the Baltic countries
as well as by the new Bestseller stores, but they were reduced by the
closure of the Smolenskaya department store in Moscow. International
operations posted a 16 per cent increase in sales, accounting for 30 per
cent of consolidated sales (28 per cent).

The relative gross margin diminished in the report period. The closure of
the Smolenskaya department store is responsible for a charge to the
Department Store Division's earnings of EUR 14 million. Accordingly, the
Department Store Division's operating profit fell and was EUR 5.6 million
(EUR 19.3 million).

Running the Crazy Days campaign at the department stores in Finland
entirely in April instead of in March, as was done last year, resulted in
a 17 per cent increase in second-quarter sales on the previous year. Owing
to the costs of closing the Smolenskaya department store and the provision
that was made for this, operating profit in the second quarter was EUR 4.1
million (EUR 11.5 million).
Lindex

Lindex's sales in the report period amounted to EUR 322.1 million.
Compared with the pro forma statement for the corresponding period in
2007, sales were down one per cent, owing to changes in foreign exchange
rates. In local currency terms, sales grew slightly. Lindex's operating
profit was EUR 22.6 million. It was burdened by depreciation connected
with the Lindex acquisition and by a non-recurring expense charge for
inventories, to a total amount of EUR 5.2 million. Lindex's operating
profit in the same period a year ago was EUR 24.9 million.

Second-quarter operating profit grew and was EUR 23.8 million, compared
with Lindex's operating profit of EUR 22.8 million in the previous year.

Hobby Hall

Hobby Hall's sales decreased by 6 per cent to EUR 95.8 million (EUR 101.7
million) in the report period. Sales declined both in Finland and abroad,
but Hobby Hall's relative gross margin increased. Hobby Hall's operating
result fell by EUR 1.9 million and was a loss of EUR 1.4 million (profit
of EUR 0.5 million). The weakening in the operating result in the report
period was due to lower sales and to start-up costs for operations in
Russia.

Hobby Hall's sales grew by five per cent in the second quarter and were
EUR 48.3 million.  The operating result was a profit of EUR 0.7 million,
whereas it was in the red in the same period of last year (an operating
loss of EUR 0.9 million).
Seppälä

Seppälä's sales in the report period increased by 4 per cent on the same
period of last year and were EUR 80.9 million. Sales in Finland were down
5 per cent, but showed strong growth in Russia, where they were buoyed by
new stores and the good like-for-like sales trend. Sales abroad were up 26
per cent, and their share of Seppälä's total sales rose to 33 per cent (26
per cent). The relative gross margin increased. Because new stores were
opened in rapid succession, fixed costs and depreciation grew faster than
the gross margin, causing Seppälä's operating result to decrease by EUR
2.1 million to EUR 4.5 million (profit of EUR 6.6 million).

Seppälä's second-quarter sales grew by 4 per cent to EUR 45.2 million.
Operating profit was EUR 5.1 million as against EUR 5.8 million in the
same period of last year.

FINANCING AND CAPITAL EMPLOYED

Liquid assets totalled EUR 23.8 million at the end of June, as against EUR
20.2 million a year earlier and EUR 33.2 million at the end of 2007.

Interest-bearing liabilities at the end of June were EUR 886.7 million
(110.6 million), of which EUR 759.8 million consisted of long-term
borrowings (30.2 million). At the end of 2007, interest-bearing
liabilities totalled EUR 905.6 million, of which EUR 855.4 million was
long-term debt. In June, Stockmann carried out an EUR 137.4 million share
issue targeted at institutional investors. The proceeds of the share issue
were used to repay part of the long-term loan which Stockmann raised when
it acquired AB Lindex (publ). Capital expenditures in the report period
amounted to EUR 76.5 million. Net working capital amounted to EUR 184.8
million at the end of June, as against EUR 224.8 million a year earlier
and EUR 193.9 million at the end of 2007. Dividend payouts totalled EUR
75.2 million.

Owing to the acquisition of Lindex, the equity ratio weakened against the
comparative period and was 36.3 per cent at the end of June (66.7 per
cent). The equity ratio at the end of 2007 was 32.6 per cent. Net gearing
was 131.1 per cent (17.4 per cent) at the end of June. At the end of 2007,
net gearing was 146.9 per cent.

The return on capital employed over the past 12 months was 12.2 per cent
(12.1 per cent at the end of 2007). The Group's capital employed increased
by EUR 913.9 million from June of the previous year and stood at EUR 1
544.8 million towards the end of the report period (EUR 1 499.4 million at
the end of 2007).

LINDEX ACQUISITION

In May, the Gothenburg Administrative Court of Appeal overturned the
affirmative decisions which Lindex had received in the County
Administrative Court concerning the deductibility in Sweden's taxation in
the years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 of the approximately EUR 70 million of
losses made by the Lindex Group's company in Germany. Lindex will appeal
the ruling of the Administrative Court of Appeal to the Supreme
Administrative Court. In accordance with the decision of the
Administrative Court of Appeal, Lindex must return about EUR 22.3 million
of taxes and interest to the tax office. An adjustment has been made to
the preliminary calculation which was prepared in 2007 for the Lindex
acquisition. As a result of the adjustment, the tax with interest which is
to be repaid will increase the Group's goodwill by EUR 22.3 million, and
the amount will have no effect on the Group's earnings.

NEW LONG-TERM FINANCIAL TARGETS

At its strategy meeting held on June 18, 2008, Stockmann's Board of
Directors confirmed the Stockmann Group's strategic guidelines for the
next five years and the financial targets for the same period. During the
strategy period, the Group will continue to strengthen its profitable
growth both in Finland as well as in its present and new market areas
outside Finland. The purchase of Lindex towards the end of 2007 brought
the Group a strong new market area in Sweden and Norway, thereby enabling
the rapid expansion of Lindex's operations to new market areas, especially
in Russia. The integration of Lindex into the Stockmann Group has moved
ahead well. The Board of Directors estimates that the advantages of scale
resulting from the Lindex integration will rise to about 12-15 million
euros a year over the next two to three years. The bulk of this will come
from an improved gross margin Group-wide by leveraging Lindex's Far East
purchasing office network for the needs of the entire Group.

The Stockmann Group's long-term targets were last confirmed in 2006, prior
to the Lindex acquisition. The revised target for the Group is to achieve,
in all its market areas, annual growth that is faster than the market
average as well as to reach a 12 per cent operating profit margin and a 20
per cent return on capital employed by the end of the strategy period in
2013. Owing to the Group's large-scale capital expenditure programme, the
return on capital employed in the initial stage of the period will be
lower than in previous years.

The Lindex acquisition, which originally was made entirely with debt
financing, changed the Group's capital structure significantly. The
strategic target is an equity ratio of at least 40 per cent.

The company's dividend policy remains unchanged in spite of strong growth
and the energetic capital expenditure programme. The dividend policy is to
pay out a dividend that is more than half of the profit derived from
mainline operations.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures during the report period totalled EUR 76.5 million
(EUR 63.9 million).

Department Store Division

The major enlargement and transformation project at the department store
in the centre of Helsinki saw the first approximately 500 square metres of
completely new space go into use at the beginning of May. The project
involves expanding the department store's commercial premises by about 10
000 square metres by converting existing premises to commercial use and by
building new retail space. In addition, new goods handling, servicing and
customer parking areas will be built. After the enlargement, the Helsinki
department store will have a total of about 50 000 square metres of retail
space. The cost estimate for the enlargement is about EUR 190 million. The
works are estimated to be completed phase by phase by autumn 2010. During
the report period, the project required an investment of about EUR 28.9
million. The department store's present retail space already clearly
exceeds the level prior to the enlargement project, and in the months
ahead, new space will become available stage by stage. Stockmann has
succeeded in carrying out the extensive project without disrupting the
department store's profitability.

In 2006, Stockmann purchased a 10 000-odd square metre commercial plot on
Nevsky Prospect, St Petersburg's high street. The plot is located next to
the Vosstaniya Square metro station, in the immediate vicinity of the
Moscow railway station. On this plot, Stockmann will erect the Nevsky
Centre shopping centre that will have about 100 000 square metres of gross
floor space, of which about 50 000 square metres will be store and office
space. A full-scale Stockmann department store with about 20 000 square
metres of retail space has been planned for the shopping centre, along
with other retail stores, office premises and an underground car park. The
total investment is estimated at about EUR 170 million. The final
construction permit was obtained at the beginning of March, and the
project is in the actual construction phase. According to the target
schedule, the building will be completed by the end of 2009. During the
report period, the project required an investment of about EUR 10.2
million.

Stockmann opened a new Nike store in Russia in March. Stockmann now has a
total of six Nike stores in Russia.

Stockmann's credit line Loyal Customer Card was relaunched in Finland as
an international MasterCard as from April. In Latvia, where Stockmann has
not previously had any Loyal Customer credit card, the new cards will be
introduced towards the end of 2008, and they will go into use in Estonia
in early 2009. The new card offerings will be based on an agreement
between Stockmann and Nordea concerning transfer of the financing of Loyal
Customer accounts to Nordea. This transfer of accounts will lighten
Stockmann's balance sheet by about EUR 65 million. In Russia, a Stockmann
Loyal Customer MasterCard credit card was brought out in the market in
March in cooperation with Citibank. Stockmann has a total of about 1.5
million Loyal Customers in Finland, Russia and the Baltic countries. All
in all, there are more than 600 000 accounts with a credit facility in
Finland and Estonia.

The Department Store Division's capital expenditures came to EUR 57.2
million.

Lindex

Lindex's expenditures amounted to EUR 14.9 million and went for new store
openings and refurbishments as well as for the new distribution centre in
Gothenburg, which was placed in use at the turn of the year and has
operated at full capacity since the spring.

During the report period, Lindex opened two stores in Sweden and Norway as
well as one each in Estonia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic. One store
was closed in Sweden.

Hobby Hall

Hobby Hall's capital expenditures totalled EUR 1.0 million.

Seppälä

In the report period, Seppälä opened two stores in Russia, two in Finland
and one each in Lithuania and Estonia. In addition, five stores in Finland
were refurbished according to the new store concept and moved to better
commercial locations and the flagship store in Helsinki's Forum shopping
centre was reopened with a new look. One store in Finland was closed.

Seppälä's capital expenditures totalled EUR 2.8 million.

Other capital expenditures

The Group's other capital expenditures came to EUR 0.5 million.

NEW PROJECTS

Department Store Division

Stockmann will open its fifth department store in Moscow in leased
premises in the Metropolis shopping centre that is being built right near
the city's centre. The department store will have a total of about 8 000
square metres of floor space, and Stockmann's investment in the project
will be about EUR 12 million. Stockmann's objective is to open the
department store in October 2008.

Stockmann has also made an agreement on opening a full-scale department
store in leased premises located in a shopping centre that is currently
being built in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The department store will have a
total of more than 8 000 square metres of retail space, and Stockmann's
investment in the project will be about EUR 12 million. According to
plans, the department store will be opened in autumn 2009.

At the beginning of 2008, Stockmann signed a preliminary agreement on
opening a sixth Stockmann department store in Moscow in leased premises.
The department store, which will be located in the Rostokino shopping
centre that is under construction on the north side of Moscow, will have
about 10 000 square metres of retail space, and Stockmann's investment in
it will be about EUR 16 million. According to preliminary plans, the
shopping centre will be completed at the end of 2009.

In March, Stockmann signed a preliminary lease agreement for a department
store in a shopping centre that will be located in a new multifunctional
centre near the centre of Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city. The shopping
centre will be completed towards the end of 2010. The Stockmann department
store, with a total floor area of about 13 000 square metres, will be one
of the shopping centre's anchor tenants.

The Department Store Division is continuing to establish new Stockmann
Beauty stores in Finland and to build out the chain of Nike and Bestseller
stores in Russia.

Lindex

Lindex will open its first store in Russia in St Petersburg in August
2008. The objective is to open more stores in Russia in the latter part of
the year. In addition, agreements have been made on opening three stores
in Norway towards the end of the year as well as two stores in Finland and
one store in Sweden. The aim is to open more stores in the Baltic
countries too this year.

Lindex has signed a franchising agreement with Delta International
Establishment on expanding its chain of stores to the Middle East under a
franchising arrangement. The franchising partner will carry out the store
investments, hire the staff and be responsible for the entire retail sales
operations. The first store is to be opened in Saudi Arabia in September
2008, and by the end of the year, six more stores will be opened there.
Over a five-year period, the aim is  to open a total of 50 stores in Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Lindex is seeking to open 20-25 new stores a year during 2008-2009, half
of them in the Nordic countries and half in new market areas.

Hobby Hall

An upgraded cash register system and telephone system, which will
contribute to improving Hobby Hall's customer service, will go into use in
the autumn. Hobby Hall's revamped online store will be tested during the
summer and it will be up and running after the tests have been completed.

In the early autumn, Hobby Hall's head office will move into leased
premises in a new office building in Helsinki's Käpylä district.

Seppälä

According to plans, Seppälä and the Stockmann Group will again expand
their operations to a new country with the opening in September of
Seppälä's first store in Ukraine. Seppälä will still open 11 new stores
within this year; five new stores in Russia, three in Finland,  two in
Estonia and one in Latvia.

SHARES AND SHARE CAPITAL

The company's market capitalization at the end of June was EUR 1 511.4
million (EUR 1 776.8 million). At the end of 2007 the market
capitalization was EUR 1 659.8 million.

Stockmann's share prices outperformed both the OMX Helsinki index and the
OMX Helsinki Cap index during the report period. At the end of June the
stock exchange price of the Series A share was EUR 24.42, compared with
EUR 29.50 at the end of 2007, and the Series B share was selling at EUR
24.55, as against EUR 29.66 at the end of 2007.

A total of 364 Stockmann plc Series B shares were subscribed for with
Stockmann Loyal Customer share options in May. The shares were entered in
the Trade Register on June 26, 2008, and they became available for public
trading, together with the existing shares, on OMX Nordic Exchange
Helsinki on June 27, 2008. As a consequence of the subscriptions, the
share capital was increased EUR 728.

The 2008 Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors of the
company to decide on the issuance of shares and special rights entitling
holders to shares, as referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1, of the Limited
Liability Companies Act, in one or more instalments. The Board of
Directors was authorized to decide on the amount of A Series and B Series
shares to be issued. However, the aggregate number of shares issued on the
basis of the authorization may not exceed 15 000 000 shares. Issuance of
shares and special rights entitling holders to shares can be carried out
in accordance with or in disapplication of the shareholders' pre-emptive
rights (directed issue). The Board of Directors is authorized to decide on
all the terms and conditions concerning the issue of shares and special
rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1, of the Limited Liability
Companies Act. The authorization will be valid for up to three years.

In accordance with the authorization granted by the Annual General
Meeting, the Board of Directors decided on a directed share issue of 5 609
360 new shares, which was carried out on June 23, 2008. In the share
issue, subscriptions were made for 2 456 424 Stockmann plc Series A shares
and 3 152 936 Stockmann plc Series B shares. Of the Series A shares
subscribed for, 438 618 were converted to Series B shares. As a
consequence of the share subscriptions and conversions, 2 017 806 Series A
shares and 3 591 554 Series B shares were entered in the Trade Register on
June 27, 2008, and they were made available for public trading on the OMX
Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, together with old shares, on June 27, 2008.

Following the above-mentioned registrations, Stockmann's share capital
increased to EUR 123 406 672. At June 30, 2008, Stockmann had 26 582 049
Series A shares and 35 121 287 Series B shares.

Stockmann held 364 321 of its own Series B shares (treasury shares) at the
end of June 2008. They comprised 0.6 per cent of all the shares
outstanding and 0.1 per cent of all the votes. The shares were bought back
at a total price of EUR 5.5 million.

The Annual General Meeting in 2007 authorized the Board of Directors to
decide on the transfer of the company's own Series B shares in one or more
instalments. The authorization will be in force for five years. The
company's Board of Directors does not have valid authorizations to buy
back treasury shares.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

During the report period, the Stockmann Group had an average payroll of 15
637 employees, or 5 202 more than in the comparison period. The increase
in the number of employees was attributable in large part to the
acquisition of Lindex in December. In addition, there was steady growth in
the number of staff employed at the department stores and other stores in
Finland and abroad. Stockmann's average number of employees, converted to
full-time staff, increased by 3 444 and was 11 811.

At the end of June 2008 the number of staff working abroad was 8 313
people. At the end of June of last year Stockmann had 3 976 people working
abroad. The proportion of the total personnel who were working abroad was
53 per cent (37 per cent).

RISK FACTORS

The quarterly report released on April 24, 2008, outlined the risks
relating to the dispute regarding the validity of the leasehold on the
Smolenskaya department store and the appeals that have been lodged
concerning the tax deductibility of the loss made by the Lindex Group's
company in Germany, and the present stage of these issues has been
discussed in this interim report. A new risk factor that has emerged is
the rise in construction costs, coupled with rapidly accelerating
inflation. In other respects, there has been no change in risk factors
after the publication on February 7, 2008, of the discussion presented in
the Board Report on Operations.

Lindex has pending legal proceedings in Germany concerning taxation there
in 2004-2006. The value of the rectification claim made by Lindex
concerning the assessment on the basis of estimated net income is about
EUR 32 million. The tax effect of this claim has not been recorded in
earnings.

Stockmann has initiated legal proceedings against the landlords of the
Smolenskaya department store in the International Commercial Arbitration
Court (ICAC) in Moscow, whereby it is claiming damages of about USD 75
million due to the unlawful closure of the department store.

FULL-YEAR OUTLOOK

Of late, uncertainty has increased greatly in the world economy as well as
in the financial and equity markets. Inflation has gathered pace, mainly
in step with the rising prices of energy and food. Of the Stockmann
Group's market areas, the weakening in consumer confidence in the Nordic
countries and the Baltic area has been reflected to some degree as a
slowdown in consumption demand. By contrast, the growth of Russia's
economy and consumption demand has continued ahead. According to
estimates, consumption demand will grow further, but at a slower pace than
in the first part of the year, in the Nordic countries and the Baltic
area. In Russia, growth will be faster than in these markets.

Lindex will be part of the Stockmann Group for all of 2008. This means a
strong increase in the Group's sales.  Consolidated sales are estimated to
be almost EUR 2.4 billion in 2008 if Stockmann does not succeed in
reopening the Smolenskaya department store in Moscow, which was closed in
May owing to the above-discussed rental dispute.

Third-quarter operating profit is estimated to improve on the figure a
year ago. Full-year sales and earnings will be affected substantially by
the trend in consumption demand in the latter part of the year. The
operating profit for 2008 is expected to improve. Although Stockmann's
financial expenses following the Lindex acquisition will increase
markedly, the Group reiterates its target of posting higher profit in 2008
than in the previous year.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The quarterly report has been prepared in compliance with IAS 34. The
accounting policies and calculation methods applied are the same as those
in the 2007 financial statements. The figures are unaudited.


Balance sheet, Group EUR millions            30.6.08    30.6.07   31.12.07
ASSETS                                                                    
Non-current assets                                                        
   Intangible assets (Ref. 1.2)                865.5       11.2      844.5
   Property, plant and equipment               516.1      392.0      476.8
   (Ref.1.2)
   Available-for-sale investments                6.6        6.5        6.5
   Non-current receivables                       1.7                   1.7
   Deferred tax assets                           5.3        2.5        5.3
Non-current assets, total                    1 395.3      412.1    1 334.8
Current assets                                                            
   Inventories                                 231.6      156.2      244.4
   Receivables, interest-bearing                63.4       98.5       98.8
   Receivables, non interest-bearing           100.6       93.5      112.5
   Cash and cash equivalents                    23.8       20.2       33.2
Current assets, total                          419.4      368.5      488.9
Assets, total                                1 814.6      780.6    1 823.7
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                    
Equity                                         658.1      520.3      593.8
Minority interest                                0.0        0.0        0.0
Equity, total                                  658.1      520.3      593.8
Non-current liabilities, interest-bearing      759.8       30.2      855.4
Reserves                                         2.5                   5.3
Non-current liabilities, total                 762.3       30.2      860.7
Deferred taxes  liabilities                     56.6       26.2       57.3
Current liabilities                                                       
Current liabilities, interest-bearing          126.9       80.4       50.1
Current liabilities, non interest-bearing      210.8      123.5      261.7
Current liabilities, total                     337.7      203.8      311.8
Equity and liabilities, total                1 814.6      780.6    1 823.7
Equity ratio, per cent                          36.3       66.7       32.6
Net gearing, per cent                          131.1       17.4      146.9
Cash flow from operations per share, EUR        0.48       0.04       2.16
Interest-bearing net debt, EUR mill.           799.5       -8.1      773.6
Number of shares at June 30, thousands        61 703     56 094     56 094
Weighted average number of shares,            55 850     55 486     55 606
thousands
Weighted average number of shares,            55 850     55 752     55 815
diluted, thousands
Market capitalization, EUR mill.             1 511.4    1 776.8    1 659.8

Equity ratio, per cent = 100 x (Equity + minority interest) / Total assets
less advance payments received

Net gearing, per cent = 100 x Interest-bearing net financial liabilities /
Equity total

Interest-bearing net debt = Interest-bearing liabilities less cash and
cash equivalents less interest-bearing liabilities

Market capitalization = Number of shares multiplied by the quotation for
the respective share series on the balance sheet date

Cash flow statement, Group EUR millions   1-6/2008    1-6/2007   1-12/2007
Cash flows from operating activities                                      
Net profit for the financial year              3.6        16.3        88.4
Adjustments:                                                              
    Deprecation                               34.0        17.5        36.9
    Profit (-) and loss (+) from sales        -3.7                        
    of non-current assets
    Financial expenses                        25.1         1.5         7.0    Financial income                          -0.5        -0.6        -1.3
    Taxes paid                                 0.7         5.0        31.1
    Other adjustments                          3.6         1.3         1.2
Changes in working capital:                                               
    Change in trade and other                 64.2         0.4       -11.0
receivables
    Change in inventories                      6.1        -1.2       -12.5
    Change in trade payables and other       -46.2       -26.3         8.8
    liabilities
Interest paid                                -27.3        -0.8        -6.5
Interest received                              0.2         0.5         1.3
Income taxes paid                            -32.9       -11.6       -23.5
Net cash from operating activities            26.9         2.2       119.9
Cash flows from investing activities                                      
Investments in tangible and intangible       -80.7       -62.2      -113.2
assets
Acquisition of subsidiary net cash            -8.3                  -852.5
acquired
Capital expenditures on other                 -0.2                        
investments
Cash from tangible assets                      5.5                        
Dividends received                             0.1         0.1         0.1
Net cash used in investing activities        -83.6       -62.1      -965.6
Cash flows from financing activities                                      
Proceeds from issue of share capital         135.5         5.8         5.8
Change in short-term loans, increase          70.5        67.3        35.5
(+), decrease (-)
Long-term loans, increase (+),               -93.0        20.0       835.6
decrease (-)
Dividends paid                               -75.2       -72.1       -72.1
Net cash used in financing activities         37.8        21.0       804.8
Change in cash and cash equivalents          -18.8       -38.9       -40.9
Cash and cash equivalents at start of         33.2        59.2        59.2
the period
Translation differences in cash and cash       0.1                     0.4
equivalents
Cheque account on credit at start of the     -14.6                        
period
Cash and cash equivalents                     23.8        59.2        33.2
Cheque account on credit at the end of       -23.7                   -14.6
the period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the        0.1        20.2        18.6
period


Income statement,                                       Change            
Group, EUR millions             1-6/2008  1-6/2007    per cent   1-12/2007
Revenue                            896.7     605.6          48     1 398.2
Other operating income               3.7                               9.7
Materials and consumables         -473.6    -355.6          33      -791.2
Wages, salaries and employee      -175.3    -103.3          70      -224.1
benefits expenses
Depreciation                       -34.0     -17.5          94       -36.9
Other operating expenses          -188.8    -106.9          77      -230.6
Operating profit (loss)             28.8      22.3          29       125.2
Finance income and expenses        -24.6      -0.9                    -5.7
Profit (loss) before tax             4.3      21.4         -80       119.4
Income taxes                        -0.7      -5.0                   -31.1
Profit (loss) for the period         3.6      16.3         -78        88.4
Earnings per share, EUR             0.06      0.29                    1.59
Earnings per share, diluted,        0.06      0.29                    1.58
EUR
Operating profit, per cent           3.2       3.7                     9.0
Equity per share, EUR              10.73      9.34          15       10.66
Return on equity, per cent,         12.9      13.6          -5        15.2
moving 12 months
Return on capital employed,         12.2      16.3         -25        12.1
per cent, moving 12 months
Average number of employees,      11 811     8 367          41       8 979
converted to full-time staff
Investments                         76.5      63.9          20       977.4

Earnings per share = (Profit before taxes - minority interest - income
taxes) / Average number of shares, adjusted for share issues
Return on equity, per cent, moving 12 months = 100 x Profit for the period
(12 months) / (Equity + minority interest) (average over 12 months)
Return on capital employed, per cent, moving 12 months = 100 x (Profit
before taxes + interest and other financial expenses) (12 months) /
Capital employed (average over 12 months)


SEGMENT INFORMATION                                                       
Segments                                                                  
Sales, EUR millions            1-6/2008   1-6/2007      Change   1-12/2007
                                                      per cent
Department Store Division         582.3      542.2           7     1 218.1
Lindex                            322.1                               68.1
Hobby Hall                         95.8      101.7          -6       206.5
Seppälä                            80.9       78.1           4       174.7
Shared                              0.4        0.4          -6         0.8
Group                           1 081.5      722.4          50     1 668.3
Revenue, EUR millions          1-6/2008   1-6/2007      Change   1-12/2007
                                                      per cent
Department Store Division         490.0      455.9           7     1 025.0
Lindex                            258.6                               54.7
Hobby Hall                         80.0       84.4          -5       171.7
Seppälä                            67.3       64.8           4       145.1
Shared                              0.8        0.5                     1.7
Group                             896.7      605.6          48     1 398.2
Operating profit (loss), EUR   1-6/2008   1-6/2007      Change   1-12/2007
millions                                              per cent
Department Store Division           5.6       19.3         -71        91.8
Lindex                             22.6                               15.0
Hobby Hall                         -1.4        0.5        -372         5.7
Seppälä                             4.5        6.6         -32        20.7
Shared                             -2.0       -4.0         -49        -7.5
Eliminations                       -0.4       -0.2                    -0.7
Group                              28.8       22.3          29       125.2
Investments,                                                              
gross, EUR millions           30.6.2008  30.6.2007      Change  31.12.2007
                                                      per cent
Department Store Division          57.2       56.6           1       111.5
Lindex                             14.9                              853.1
Hobby Hall                          1.0        1.4         -27         3.5
Seppälä                             2.8        5.6         -49         9.3
Shared                              0.5        0.3          87            
Group                              76.5       63.9          20       977.4
Assets, EUR millions          30.6.2008  30.6.2007      Change  31.12.2007
                                                      per cent
Department Store Division         623.9      594.6           5       652.4
Lindex                          1 012.6                              992.9
Hobby Hall                         94.3      107.7         -12       102.7
Seppälä                            44.0       40.3           9        44.7
Shared                             39.8       38.1           5        30.9
Group                           1 814.6      780.6         132     1 823.7
Non-interest-bearing          30.6.2008  30.6.2007      Change  31.12.2007
liabilities, EUR millions                             per cent
Department Store Division          78.1       89.9         -13       125.9
Lindex                            100.0                              100.8
Hobby Hall                         15.0       21.2         -29        14.5
Seppälä                             6.9        9.3         -25        11.5
Shared                             69.8       29.3                    71.7
Group                             269.9      149.7          80       324.3


Market areas                                                              
                                                        Change            
Sales, EUR millions            1-6/2008   1-6/2007    per cent   1-12/2007
Finland 1)                        578.5      531.8           9     1 171.5
Sweden and Norway 2)              277.3                               59.5
Baltic states and Czech           102.1       88.5          15       194.1
Republic 1)
Russia 3)                         123.6      102.1          21       243.2
Group                           1 081.5      722.4          50     1 668.3
Finland, per cent                  53.5       73.6                    70.2
International operations,          46.5       26.4                    29.8
per cent
                                                        Change            
Revenue, EUR millions          1-6/2008   1-6/2007    per cent   1-12/2007
Finland 1)                        482.6      443.1           9       977.6
Sweden and Norway 2)              221.8                               47.5
Baltic states and Czech            86.8       75.2          15       165.0
Republic 1)
Russia 3)                         105.6       87.3          21       208.0
Group                             896.7      605.6          48     1 398.2
Finland, per cent                  53.8       73.2                    69.9
International operations,          46.2       26.8                    30.1
per cent
                                                        Change            
Operating profit (loss), EUR   1-6/2008   1-6/2007    per cent   1-12/2007
millions
Finland 1)                         24.6       24.3           1        96.3
Sweden and Norway 2)               22.9                               14.4
Baltic states and Czech             3.9        7.0         -44        21.1
Republic 1)
Russia 3)                         -22.6       -9.0         150        -6.6
Group                              28.8       22.3          29       125.2
Finland, per cent                  85.4      109.1                    76.9
International operations,          14.6       -9.1                    23.1
per cent
Investments,                                            Change            
gross, EUR millions           30.6.2008  30.6.2007    per cent  31.12.2007
Finland 1)                         45.5       33.5          36        80.2
Sweden and Norway 2)               12.2                              847.0
Baltic states and Czech             3.1        1.2         153         5.1
Republic 1)
Russia 3)                          15.7       29.2         -46        45.0
Group                              76.5       63.9          20       977.4
Finland, per cent                  59.5       52.4                     8.2
International operations,          40.5       47.6                    91.8
per cent                                             Change            
Assets, EUR millions          30.6.2008  30.6.2007    per cent  31.12.2007
Finland 1)                        571.4      535.6           7       585.2
Sweden and Norway 2)              994.0                              975.7
Baltic states and Czech            72.3       72.9          -1        75.8
Republic 1)
Russia 3)                         176.9      172.1           3       187.0
Group                           1 814.6      780.6         132     1 823.7
Finland, per cent                  31.5       68.6                    32.1
International operations,          68.5       31.4                    67.9
per cent
1) Department Store                                                       
Division, Lindex, Hobby Hall
and Seppälä
2) Lindex                                                                 
3) Department Store                                                       
Division, Hobby Hall and
Seppälä


Statement of changes                                    Share             
in equity                                             premium        Legal
Group, EUR millions                     Equity*          fund      reserve
Equity December 31, 2006                  111,7         183,4         44,1
Options exercised                           0,5           2,6             
Share bonus                                               0,2             
Transfer to other funds                                                0,0
Cost of share issue                                                       
Dividends                                                                 
Translation differences                                                   
Profit for the period                                                     
Equity June 30, 2007                      112.2         186.2         44.1
Equity December 31, 2007                  112.2         186.0         44.1
Options exercised                           0.0                           
Rights issue                               11.2                           
Share bonus                                                               
Cash flow hedges                                                          
Cost of share issue                                                       
Dividends                                                                 
Translation differences                                               -0.2
Profit for the period                                                     
Equity June 30, 2008                      123.4         186.0         43.9
* including share issue                                                   

Statement of changes                       Fair   Reserve for             
                                                     invested
in equity                                 value  unrestricted  Translatioo
                                                                         n
Group, EUR millions                   reserve**        equity      reserve
Equity December 31, 2006                    0,0           0,0          0,0
Options exercised                                                         
Share bonus                                                               
Transfer to other funds                                                   
Cost of share issue                                                       
Dividends                                                                 
Translation differences                                                0,0
Profit for the period                                                     
Equity June 30, 2007                        0.0           0.0          0.1
Equity December 31, 2007                    0.5           0.0          0.0
Options exercised                                                         
Rights issue                                            124.3             
Share bonus                                                               
Cash flow hedges                           -0.2                           
Cost of share issue                                                       
Dividends                                                                 
Translation differences                    -0.1                       -0.1
Profit for the period                                                     
Equity June 30, 2008                        0.2         124.3         -0.1
** excluding deferred tax                                                 
liability


Statement of changes                                                      
in equity                         Retained              Minority          
Group, EUR millions               earnings     Total    interest     Total
Equity December 31, 2006             232,3     571,6         0,0     571,6
Options exercised                                3,1                   3,1
Share bonus                            0,2       0,4                   0,4
Transfer to other funds                          0,0                   0,0
Cost of share issue                    0,9       0,9                   0,9
Dividends                            -72,1     -72,1                 -72,1
Translation differences                0,0       0,0                   0,0
Profit for the period                 16,3      16,3         0,0      16,3
Equity June 30, 2007                 177.7     520.3         0.0     520.3
Equity December 31, 2007             250.9     593.8         0.0     593.8
Options exercised                                0.0                   0.0
Rights issue                                   135.5                 135.5
Share bonus                            0.1       0.1                   0.1
Cash flow hedges                                -0.2                  -0.2
Cost of share issue                    0.8       0.8                   0.8
Dividends                            -75.2     -75.2                 -75.2
Translation differences                         -0.4                  -0.4
Profit for the period                  3.6       3.6         0.0       3.6
Equity June 30, 2008                 180.3     658.1         0.0     658.1


Contingent liabilities,                  30.6.2008   30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Group EUR millions
Mortgages on land and                          1.7         1.7         1.7
buildings
Guarantees                                                 1.5            
Pledges                                                                0.1
Total                                          1.7         3.2         1.8
Lease agreements on                      30.6.2008   30.6.2007  31.12.2007
business premises, EUR
millions
Minimum rents payable on                                                  
the basis of binding lease
agreements on business
premises
Within one year                               96.7        68.3       124.6
After one year                               466.8       337.8       449.3
Total                                        563.5       406.1       573.8
Lease payments                           30.6.2008   30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Within one year                                1.3         1.0         1.4
After one year                                 1.1         1.0         1.3
Total                                          2.4         2.0         2.8
Derivative contracts                     30.6.2008   30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Nominal value                                                             
Currency derivatives                         325.5                    67.8
Electricity derivatives                        3.2                     1.5
Total                                        328.7                    69.3
Exchange rates                                                            
Country                        Currency  30.6.2008   30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Russia                              RUB    36.9477     34.8070     35.9860
Estonia                             EEK    15.6466     15.6466     15.6466
Latvia                              LVL     0.7047      0.6963      0.6964
Lithuania                           LTL     3.4528      3.4528      3.4528
Sweden                              SEK     9.4703                  9.4415


Income statement                                                          
quarterly,                           Q2          Q1         Q4          Q3
Group, EUR millions                2008        2008       2007        2007
Continuing operations                                                     
Revenue                           483.3       413.4      483.9       308.6
Other operating income             -0.1         3.8        0.0         9.7
Materials and consumables        -242.6      -231.0     -255.8      -179.8
Wages, salaries and               -90.2       -85.1      -73.2       -47.6
employee benefits expenses
Depreciation                      -18.7       -15.2      -10.5        -8.9
Other operating expenses         -100.3       -88.5      -73.7       -50.0
Operating profit (loss)            31.4        -2.5       70.8        32.1
Finance income and expenses       -13.3       -11.3       -4.3        -0.5
Profit (loss) before tax           18.1       -13.8       66.5        31.6
Income taxes                       -2.9         2.2      -17.9        -8.1
Profit (loss) for the              15.2       -11.6       48.6        23.5
period, continuing
operations
Discontinued operations                                              
Profit (loss) for the                                                     
period, discontinued
operations
Profit (loss) for the              15.2       -11.6       48.6        23.5
period
Earnings per share,                                                       
continuing operations, EUR
Basic                              0.27       -0.21       0.87        0.43
Diluted                            0.27       -0.21       0.87        0.42
Earnings per share,                                                       
discontinued operations,
EUR
Basic                                                                     
Diluted                                                                   
Earnings per share, total,                                                
EUR
Basic                              0.27       -0.21       0.87        0.43
Diluted                            0.27       -0.21       0.87        0.42
                                     Q2          Q1         Q4          Q3
Sales, EUR millions                2008        2008       2007        2007
Department Store Division         306.4       275.9      400.4       275.5
Lindex                            183.8       138.3       68.1            
Hobby Hall                         48.3        47.4       58.9        45.9
Seppälä                            45.2        35.7       51.2        45.4
Shared                              0.2         0.2        0.2         0.2
Group                             583.9       497.5      578.8       367.0
Revenue, EUR millions                                                     
Department Store Division         257.3       232.7      336.9       232.2
Lindex                            147.6       111.0       54.7            
Hobby Hall                         40.4        39.7       49.2        38.2
Seppälä                            37.6        29.7       42.5        37.8
Shared                              0.4         0.4        0.7         0.5
Group                             483.3       413.4      483.9       308.6
Operating profit, EUR                                                     
millions
Department Store Division           4.1         1.5       46.9        25.7
Lindex                             23.8        -1.2       15.0            
Hobby Hall                          0.7        -2.1        2.7         2.5
Seppälä                             5.1        -0.6        8.6         5.5
Shared                             -2.2         0.2       -2.4        -1.1
Eliminations                        0.0        -0.3        0.0        -0.5
Group                              31.4        -2.5       70.8        32.1


Income statement                                                          
quarterly,                           Q2          Q1         Q4          Q3
Group, EUR millions                2007        2007       2006        2006
Continuing operations                                                     
Revenue                           294.2       311.4      389.6       281.1
Other operating income                                     0.4         0.0
Materials and consumables        -164.0      -191.6     -215.6      -166.1
Wages, salaries and               -52.6       -50.8      -57.9       -44.2
employee benefits expenses
Depreciation                       -8.4        -9.1       -7.9        -7.9
Other operating expenses          -55.1       -51.7      -58.1       -43.0
Operating profit (loss)            14.1         8.2       50.5        19.8
Finance income and expenses        -0.8        -0.2       -0.5         0.5
Profit (loss) before tax           13.3         8.0       50.1        20.4
Income taxes                       -3.2        -1.9      -12.3        -5.0
Profit (loss) for the              10.2         6.1       37.8        15.4
period, continuing
operations
Discontinued operations                                                   
Profit (loss) for the                                                     
period, discontinued
operations
Profit (loss) for the              10.2         6.1       37.8        15.4
period
Earnings per share,                                                       
continuing operations, EUR
Basic                              0.18        0.11       0.70        0.29
Diluted                            0.18        0.11       0.69        0.28
Earnings per share,                                                       
discontinued operations,
EUR
Basic                                                                -0.01
Diluted                                                  -0.01            
Earnings per share, total,                                                
EUR
Basic                              0.18        0.11       0.70        0.28
Diluted                            0.18        0.11       0.68        0.28
                                     Q2          Q1         Q4          Q3
Sales, EUR millions                2007        2007       2006        2006
Department Store Division         261.0       281.2      363.4       249.0
Lindex                                                                    
Hobby Hall                         46.0        55.6       55.5        45.5
Seppälä                            43.5        34.6       45.3        40.2
Shared                              0.2         0.2        0.2         0.2
Group                             350.7       371.7      464.4       334.9
Revenue, EUR millions                                                     
Lindex                            219.6       236.3      305.5       209.8
Department Store Division                                                 
Hobby Hall                         38.1        46.2       46.1        37.8
Seppälä                            36.1        28.7       37.5        33.2
Shared                              0.4         0.1        0.5         0.2
Group                             294.2       311.4      389.6       281.1
Operating profit, EUR                                                     
millions
Department Store Division          11.5         7.8       44.3        13.1
Lindex                                                                    
Hobby Hall                         -0.9         1.5        3.4         2.1
Seppälä                             5.8         0.8        7.3         5.4
Shared                             -2.1        -1.8       -3.8        -0.9
Eliminations                       -0.1         0.0       -0.6         0.1
Group                              14.1         8.2       50.6        19.8

1. ASSETS                                                                 
EUR mill.                                 30.6.2008  30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Acquisition cost Jan. 1                       813.8      551.7       551.7
Translation difference +/-                     -0.8       -0.7         0.0
Aquisitions through business                    0.0                  154.7
combinations (investment) (+)
Translation difference +/-                                            -0.2
Increases Jan. 1-June 30                       76.2       63.9       125.9
Decreases Jan. 1-June 30                       -2.3       -1.1       -18.4
Acquisition cost June 30/Dec. 31              886.9      613.9       813.8
Accumulated depreciation Jan. 1               212.5      193.2       193.2
Translation difference +/-                     -0.2        0.3         0.0
Depreciation on reductions                     -0.6       -0.3       -17.6
Depreciation for the financial year            34.0       17.5        36.9
Accumulated depreciation                      245.6      210.8       212.5
June 30/Dec. 31
Book value Jan. 1                             601.3      358.5       358.5
Book value June 30/Dec. 31                    641.3      403.1       601.3
Goodwill                                                                  
EUR mill.                                 30.6.2008  30.6.2007  31.12.2007
Acquisition cost Jan. 1                       720.0                       
Aquisitions through business                                         721.7
combinations (investment) (+)
Translation difference +/-                     -2.2                   -1.7
Increases Jan.1-June 30                        22.5                       
Acquisition cost June 30/Dec. 31              740.3                  720.0
Book value Jan 1.                             720.0                       
Book value June 30/Dec. 31                    740.3                  720.0
Total                                       1 381.6      403.1     1 321.3


2. ACQIORED OPERATIONS, 2007                                              
Lindex acquisition, precision of                                          
preliminary acquisition cost in
30.6.2008
Acquired companies                                                        
Milj. euroa                             Carrying                  Carrying
                                         amounts  Fair values      amounts
                                          before   recognized        after                                        business  in business     business
                                     combination  combination  combination
Intangible assets                                                         
   Trademarks                               18.4         78.2         96.6
    Rights over leased premises              0.0                       0.0
    Customer relationships                                2.4          2.4
    Supplier relationships                                4.3          4.3
    EDP software                            10.3                      10.3
    Goodwill                                 7.6         -7.6          0.0
Property, plant and equipment               41.1                      41.1
Other fiancial assets                        2.6                       2.6
Deferred tax assets                          3.0                       3.0
Inventories                                 72.6          4.2         76.8
Trade and other receivables                 14.6                      14.6
Cash and cash equivalents                    9.0                       9.0
Assets, total                              179.2         81.5        260.8
Deferred taxes liabilities                   1.7         25.0         26.7
Pension liabilities                          3.4                       3.4
Other provisions                             2.5                       2.5
Current account with overdraft              29.0                      29.0
facility
Other liabilities                           69.9         22.3         92.2
Liabilities, total                         106.5         47.3        153.8
Net assets                                  72.7         34.2        107.0
Acquisition cost                                                     851.1
Goodwill                                                744.2        744.2


STOCKMANN plc

Hannu Penttilä
CEO


DISTRIBUTION
OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki
Principal media


A press and analyst conference will be held today, August 6, 2008, at
14.00 at the World Trade Center, Aleksanterinkatu 17, Helsinki.