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Stockmann to bring Swedish fashion chain to Russia

24
Mar '08

The Annual General Meeting of Stockmann plc, held in Helsinki on March 18, 2008, adopted the financial statements for the financial year January 1 - December 31, 2007, granted release from liability to the responsible officers and resolved to pay a dividend of EUR 1.35 per share for last year.

The Board of Directors' proposals to the Annual General Meeting were approved without changes. Under a franchising agreement, the Group's sales network will expand to the Middle East.

Managing Director's review
In his review to Stockmann's Annual General Meeting in Helsinki on March 18, 2008, CEO Hannu Penttilä observed that the transfer of the Swedish fashion chain Lindex to Stockmann's ownership through a public tender offer in December was a major acquisition, Finland's second largest last year.

Stockmann's most recent acquisitions were made back in the 1980s, when both Hobby Hall and Seppälä became part of the Group. In the ensuing period organic growth has been achieved both by building out operations in the domestic market and by expanding via these concepts to new market areas. Non-core businesses, however, have been trimmed through measures such as divesting the wholesale business, the Sesto grocery chain and, most recently, the vehicle trade in 2006.

The Lindex transaction will strengthen the Stockman Group's position in many ways. Lindex accounts for a share of about 30 per cent on the Stockmann Group's sales, whereas department store operations make up a good 50 per cent and the aggregate share of Seppälä and Hobby Hall is just under 20 per cent.

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