Amsterdam, 16 January 2008
X5 Retail Group N.V., Russia’s largest food retailer in terms of sales (LSE ticker: “FIVE”), announced today that it has sent an Option Notice (the Notice) to the shareholders of Formata Holding B.V. (Formata) on execution of its rights under a Call Option Agreement with respect to the purchase of 100% of the shares of Formata (the Option Shares). Formata owns the Karusel hypermarket chain. The Notice is irrevocable. Nevertheless, the acquisition of the Option Shares is conditional upon the completion by X5 Retail Group to its satisfaction of due diligence on Formata and on receipt by X5 Retail Group of any required regulatory, shareholder or third party approvals.