STOCKMANN GROUP'S SALES IN MARCH AND IN

STOCKMANN plc STOCK EXCHANGE BULLETIN April 9, 2003, 11.15 a.m.

STOCKMANN GROUP'S SALES IN MARCH AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2003

In March, the Stockmann Group's sales were up 6 per cent on the previous year. Sales by the Vehicle Division continued to grow vigorously and were up 25 per cent on the figure in March 2002. The number of order bookings for new vehicles is still markedly higher than a year ago which indicates a continuous strong growth in sales in the next few months. Sales by the Department Store Division were on a par with the previous year. Sales by Hobby Hall fell 1 per cent and sales by Seppälä 7 per cent short of the figures last year. The consolidated sales grew by 7 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

The uncertainty in the global economic and political situation has to some degree been reflected in the sales development during the first part of the year, except for the sales by the Vehicle Division. In the beginning of April the Crazy Days, the marketing campaign with a crucial importance for the financial result of the Department Store Division, nevertheless once again beat the previous sales records. Sales by the department stores in Finland grew during the campaign by 5 per cent compared with the previous year, which gives a good start for the second quarter of the year.

Sales figures in March and in January-March

March January-March January- December

STOCKMANN plc

Hannu Penttilä CEO

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