Cooperative buying agreement

The Zeus Zentrale für Einkauf und Service GmbH of Soltau, Germany, and the Swiss Jumbo-Markt AG signed a cooperative agreement on 12 May that covers the areas of invoicing, procurement and buying in the retail segment. This is intended to accelerate not only the centrally regulated business of the parent companies, but also their warehousing business. The cooperation between the two companies will come into effect on 1 June 2005.