Finnish retail conglomerate Kesko Group's sales totalled €998.7 million in April, which marks an increase of 3.1% from the previous year, with comparable sales growth of 2.5%.
In the grocery trade, Kesko generated sales worth €496.6 million in April, an increase of 4.9% compared to the previous year.
Grocery sales to K-food stores remained at the previous year's level, the retailer noted.
Sales decreased in K-Citymarket's home and specialty goods trade, while Kespro's sales increased by 41.1%.
Compared to the previous year, consumption was relatively more focused on foodservice services than on retail trade, the retailer added.
Other Businesses
The group saw sales in the construction and building services trade amounting to €435.8 million in April, registering an increase of 7.0% in local currencies.
Sales in the construction and building services trade, excluding specialty trade, increased by a comparable 7.6%.
On a comparable basis, sales increased by 12.3% in Finland and 3.3% in Sweden, but decreased by 4.0% in Norway.
Developments in Norway in particular were affected by the timing of Easter in April, the retailer noted.
In the specialty trade, sales in the leisure segment decreased by a comparable 3.9%.
Reported sales in the construction and building services trade increased by 8.4%.
Mikko Helander, president and CEO of Kesko, said, "Kesko's sales increased in April in the grocery trade and the construction and building services trade. In the grocery trade, sales were at a good level and grew strongly in foodservice services.
"Growth in construction and building services continued to be strong despite the timing of Easter in April. There were one fewer delivery days in the industry than in the previous year."
Read More: Finland's Kesko Reports 6.1% Sales Gain In March
© 2022 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
