OREANDA-NEWS. April 23, 2012. X5 Retail Group N.V., (“X5” and/or the “Company”) Russia's largest retailer in terms of sales (LSE ticker: “FIVE”), today published its audited IFRS results for the year ended 31 December 2011. The Company's Annual Report for 2011 has been published on X5's website at www.x5.ru/en, reported the press-centre of X5 Retail Group. 

2012 OUTLOOK

Net sales growth of 15% to 20% in RUR terms while maintaining EBITDA margin above 7%;

Net increase in retail selling space of about 18%, or 300,000 square meters (sq. m.);

CAPEX – approximately RUR 45 billion (bln) (excl. VAT), including,

 New stores ~ 60%; Logistics, IT and other ~30%; Reconstruction ~ 10%.

(1) Numbers presented in this press release were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

X5 Retail Group CEO Andrei Gusev commented: “In 2011, we remained Russia’s number one retailer, in terms of sales. Thanks to stepped-up organic growth, and the rapid integration of Kopeyka stores, our retail footprint increased by over 65% (1) year-on-year, to 3,002 stores, resulting in an increase in customer visits to 1.6 bln in 2011. Our capital expenditures remained well below budget, at RUR 27 bln, and were fully financed by internally generated cash flows, which allowed us to reduce our net debt to EBITDA ratio to 3.1x at 31 December 2011 compared to 3.7x at 31 December 2010. In fourth quarter 2011, we established a true multi-format structure, which allows a stronger focus on customers going forward. Our execution in 2011, coupled with higher return on equity, gives me confidence that X5 is on the right track and we are transforming the Company for longterm success and shareholder value creation.”

The full version of this press-release you can find on X5's website: http://www.x5.ru/en/press/press_releases/index.php?id4=1173