Press Releases

Kesko Oyj (HEL:KESAV) RAUTAKESKO LTD PRESS RELEASE 30.10.2008 AT 10.00 1(1)

Rautakesko opened Latvia's tenth K-rauta store in Rezekne today. The store provides jobs to 45 people in a city that has lately been suffering from a weakened employment situation.

K-rauta Rezekne has a total area of 4,766 m², of which 3,586 m² are indoors and 1,180 m² outdoors in a covered sales area for building materials. The selection consists of 20,000 different building, interior decoration and garden products.

"We are proud that the K-rauta chain implements its long-term plans and develops its operations even if the Latvian economic situation has been deteriorating," says Peteris Stupans, A/S Rautakesko's Managing Director.

A/S Rautakesko, which is part of the Kesko Group, is one of the leading retailers of building and home improvement products in Latvia. A/S Rautakesko employs 660 people in Latvia. Its net sales totalled €85 million in 2007.

Photos of the store can be downloaded from http://aineistopankki.kesko.fi/kesko_en.

Further information: Managing Director Peteris Stupans, A/S Rautakesko, tel. +371 2911 7412 Store Site Director Ari Pärssinen, Rautakesko Ltd, tel. +358 1053 20046

K-rauta stores (www.k-rauta.com) meet the customer demand for safe ideas and solutions for building and living. K-rauta stores operate in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and Russia.

Rautakesko (www.rautakesko.com) is engaged in the building and home improvement trade through the K-rauta, Rautia, Byggmakker and Senukai retail chains. Rautakesko manages its chains, combines their purchasing power, arranges efficient logistics, acquires store sites and guarantees strong marketing and development support to the stores. Rautakesko operates in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.

This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kesko Oyj

http://www.kesko.fi

ISIN: FI0009007900

Stock Identifier: XHEL.KESAV