Sligro Food Group N.V.’s sales for the first quarter of 2012 (13 weeks) totalled €577 million, an increase of €17 million or 3.0% compared with the sales of €560 million in the same period in 2011. Organic sales growth accounted for all of the increase.
Total first-quarter sales can be analysed as follows
(x € million):
2012 2011 Growth %
Food retail 205 200 2.4
Foodservice 372 360 3.3
Total 577 560 3.0

Food retail
Food retail sales remained close to the market level, where volume growth is currently non-existent. Growth in like-for-like consumer sales at the EMTÉ supermarkets in the first quarter was 1.7%. The average number of supermarkets showed little change in the first quarter at 130. Gross margin was held down by the heavy pressure on prices in the first quarter.
Foodservice
Organic sales growth in Sligro’s foodservice operations was 3.3%, which according to our estimates was well ahead of the market. Much of this growth was, however, in segments where margins are relatively low. Prices in
the foodservice market are also under pressure from the negative trend in market volume and the challenging economic conditions.
We prefer not to give a firm forecast of the half-year results at this stage. The half-year results will be published on 19 July.

Sligro Food Group encompasses food retail and foodservice companies selling directly and indirectly to the entire Dutch food and beverages market. The group is active in foodservice as a wholesaler and in food retail as
a wholesaler and retailer. Sales in 2011 totalled €2,420 million, generating a net profit of €78 million. The group employed an average of close to 5,900 full-time equivalents.
The Sligro Food Group shares are listed on NYSE Euronext.
Veghel, 19 April 2012