X5 is going to open 140 new soft discounters “Pyaterochka” throughout Russia

“M&A deals in Russian retail will continue next year” – said Lev Khasis, CEO X5 Retail Group, during press-conference today. “Nowadays we are observing some retailers that looking for way out of retail business and wants to sell theirs companies” – added Lev Khasis.

According to Lev Khasis the company plans to step up own expansion in regions of Russia, mostly in regions where company is exists already - Moscow and nearby regions. “Till the end of 2009 there will be 140 new soft discounters “Pyaterochka” throughout Russia” – said Lev Khasis.

X5 Retail Group

X5 Retail Group N.V. is Russia's largest retailer in terms of sales. The Company was created as a result of a merger between Pyaterochka (soft discounter chain) and Perekrestok (supermarket chain) on 18 May 2006. In June 2008, X5 acquired Karusel hypermarket chain and substantially strengthened its position in hypermarket format.

As at 30 September 2009, X5 had 1,217 Company-managed stores located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of European Russia, Urals and Ukraine, including 952 soft discount stores, 210 supermarkets and 55 hypermarkets.

As at 30 September 2009, X5’s franchisees operated 586 stores across Russia.

For the full year 2008, X5’s net sales including acquired Karusel business on a pro-forma basis totaled USD 8,892 mln, EBITDA reached USD 803 mln, and net profit adjusted for non-cash goodwill impairment charge amounted to USD 112 mln.

For the first half 2009 X5’s net sales totaled USD 3,978 mln, EBITDA reached USD 347 mln, and net profit amounted to USD 48 mln. For the nine months 2009, net retail sales totaled USD 6,053 mln.

X5 Shareholder structure is as follows: Alfa Group – 47.9%, founders of Pyaterochka – 23.1%, X5 Management – 1.9%, treasury shares – 0.1%, free float – 27.0%.

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