2012-04-16 08:00:00 CEST

2012-04-16 08:01:51 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

English
Kesko Oyj - Company Announcement

Kesko's sales in March increased by 12.2%


KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 16.04.2012 AT 09.00 1(2)

The Kesko Group's sales in March 2012, excluding VAT, totalled €901.7 million,
showing an increase of 12.2%.

In Kesko's food trade, sales in March were €375.7 million, an increase of 4.2%
compared to the previous year. Sales to the K-food store chains were up by
4.8%. The sales of Pirkka products to K-food stores increased by 16.0%. The
sales of Kespro Ltd grew by 5.7%.

In the home and speciality goods trade, sales in March were €138.3 million, an
increase of 8.7%. The best sales growth was achieved by K-citymarket's home and
speciality goods and Kenkäkesko.

In the building and home improvement trade, sales in March were €255.6 million,
an increase of 9.2%. Sales in Finland were up by 4.8%. Sales abroad increased by
13.7% in terms of euros. Sales growth in Russia, in terms of euros, stood at
23.3%.

In the car and machinery trade, sales in March were €147.9 million, an increase
of 47.5%. VV-Auto's sales in March were €121.3 million, up 63.6%. The sales
performance is partly attributable to the car tax change effective from 1 April
2012. Konekesko's sales in March were €26.9 million, showing a 2.6% increase.

Kesko Group sales in euros, excluding VAT, in March 2012:

                                             March 2012         1.1. - 31.3.2012

                                         € million Change, % € million Change, %

Food trade, total                            375.7       4.2   1,019.8       6.7

Home and speciality goods trade, total       138.3       8.7     372.8       6.0

Building and home improvement trade,
Finland                                      125.0       4.8     305.8       7.6

Building and home improvement trade,
other countries                              130.7      13.7     333.7      12.8

Building and home improvement trade,
total                                        255.6       9.2     639.5      10.2

Car and machinery trade, total               147.9      47.5     361.8      26.6

Common operations and eliminations           -15.8               -42.0

Grand total                                  901.7      12.2   2,351.9      10.3



Finland, total                               759.7      11.5   1,989.4       9.3

Other countries, total                       142.1      16.0     362.5      15.9

Grand total                                  901.7      12.2   2,351.9      10.3


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

In March 2012, the number of selling days in Kesko's wholesale in Finland was
22, which was one less than in the previous year. The total number of wholesale
selling days in January-March was one more than in the previous year. The number
of retail selling days in March was 31, which was the same as in the previous
year. The total number of retail selling days in January-March was one more than
in the previous year.

Kesko releases advance information on the K-Group's retail sales quarterly, in
connection with the interim reports.

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


Kesko Corporation



Merja Haverinen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility


DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi


[HUG#1602559]