Maxeda

20-3-2007

Maxeda initiates strategic review of HEMA

Maxeda B.V. (“Maxeda”) announces that the Executive Board and SupervisorMaxeda Supervisory Board have taken the decision last week to start a strategic review which may result in the sale of its operating subsidiary HEMA B.V. (“HEMA”). The review will be conducted to investigate the best options to facilitate the future potential of HEMA outside Maxeda. The strategic review relates to the HEMA subsidiary only.

HEMA is a stand alone company within the Maxeda group, both commercially and organisationally and has shown consistently strong performance over the past few years. HEMA is a leader in it’s core markets, and is reaping the benefits from recent investments and improved business fundamentals.

HEMA has a strong track record of profitable growth as well as excellent prospects and experienced management. Sales and profitability have grown consistently over the past three years. Gross sales grew notably to more than EUR 1.3 billion in 2006 with annual double digit operating profit growth. Over the last years, HEMA has outperformed the non-food retail market and gained market share.