X5 Retail Regulatory News (FIVE)

8 Aug 2006 08:36

Pyaterochka Holding N.V.08 August 2006 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN 8 August 2006 PYATEROCHKA HOLDING N.V. REBRANDING UPDATE Lev Khasis, Group Chief Executive Officer, Pyaterochka Holding N.V. provided thefollowing comments today in relation to the company's plans to select a new namefor the holding company. "Pyaterochka Holding N.V. is currently considering a number of options for a newname for the combined entity. One of the ideas is currently being discussedinternally, but a final decision on a new name for the holding company will notbe made until September. I cannot say today with confidence which name theSupervisory Board will choose for the holding company. The rebranding is only related to the name of Pyaterochka Holding NV - thechains "Pyaterochka" and "Perekrestok" will continue to work under theirrespective banners. We are developing two different formats, each with its ownbrand identity, therefore it would not make sense to unite them under a singlebanner. In addition, the name recognition of both "Pyaterochka" and "Perekrestok" is close to 100%, and it would not be sensible to change the namesof such well-known brands." Pyaterochka Holding NV will make an announcement this fall once a new name hasbeen selected for the holding. Note to Editors: Pyaterochka Holding N.V. is Russia's largest food retailer in terms of sales.The group has 371 company-managed "Pyaterochka" soft discount stores located inthe Moscow (177), St. Petersburg (175) and Yekaterinburg (19) areas, and 127company-managed "Perekrestok" supermarkets across 14 regions of Central Russiaand Ukraine as of 31 March 2006. Pyaterochka and Perekrestok have merged their operations as of 18 May 2006 tocreate the clear leader in the Russian food retail market. Pyaterochka's 2005 net sales (pre-merger) reached USD 1,359 million, with grossbanner sales in 2005 of over USD 2 billion. Perekrestok net sales reached USD1,015 million in 2005. Pyaterochka's Q1 2006 net sales (pre-merger) reached USD 439 million, andPerekrestok Q1 2006 sales were USD 323 million. As of 31 March 2006, franchisees operated 439 Pyaterochka branded stores in 15regions of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Pyaterochka currently has masterfranchise agreements in 20 regions of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.Perekrestok has 9 convenience stores operated by franchisees in the Moscow area. - End - Enquiries to: Pyaterochka Holding NV Tanja Djurdjevic Investor Relations Tel +7 495 724 6414 Email ir@e5.ru This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange