"ALFA-BETA" VASSILOPOULOS (Athens Stock Exchange: BASIK) announced today that during Q4 2007, consolidated revenues increased by 15.41% compared to prior year's corresponding period and increased to 336.3 million EUR from 291.4 million EUR. The full year consolidated revenues amounted to 1,174.9 million EUR from 1,030.2 million EUR in 2006, an increase by 14.04%.
In 2007, "ALFA-BETA" continued its organic development activity with the opening of five new supermarkets and six affiliated stores. At the end of the year the network of company-operated stores of "ALFA-BETA" comprised 113 sales points while the affiliated network expanded to 36 sales points in Attica and provinces. Combined with the 10 cash-and-carry sales points, the sales network counted 159 stores on total at the end of 2007.
For 2008, "ALFA-BETA" VASSILOPOULOS plans an acceleration of its organic store-opening program. It will add 16 new stores to its network, including those of the affiliated network, extending it to 175 stores.
On January 4, 2008, "ALFA-BETA" VASSILOPOULOS announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Greek retailer Plus Hellas. The acquisition consists of 33 new stores (average selling area of 795 m2) and a modern distribution center (36,000 m2) close to in Thessaloniki, capable to cater the needs of the wider geographical area. The acquisition includes the real estate ownership of 14 stores and the distribution center. This highly complementary acquisition reinforces the competitive position of "ALFA-BETA", particularly in Northern Greece where it had a limited presence.
The Company has scheduled to publish the financial results of fiscal year 2007 within the first fortnight of March 2008.
"ALFA-BETA" VASSILOPOULOS S.A., is a food retail company established in 1969 and member of the Belgian Delhaize Group since 1992. At the end of 2006, "ALFA-BETA"'s sales network was composed of 148 stores (108 company-operated stores, 10 cash-and-carry stores, and 30 affiliated stores) and employed 7,209 people. In 2006, Consolidated revenues amounted to EUR 1,030.2 million and consolidated net profit before tax amounted to EUR 30.4 million. "ALFA-BETA" VASSILOPOULOS S.A. is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (BASIK) since 1990.