OREANDA-NEWS. PJSC "Magnit", Russia's largest food retailer (the "Company"; MICEX and LSE: MGNT) announces 37.30% retail sales growth in rubles for December 2014.

During December 2014 the Company opened (net) 204 stores. The total store base reached 9,711 stores (8,344 convenience stores, 190 hypermarkets, 97 "Magnit Family" stores and 1,080 drogerie stores).

Preliminary consolidated unaudited net retail revenue (excl. VAT) in 12M 2014 increased by 31.61% in ruble terms (compared to 12M 2013) and stood at 762,721.31 million rubles.

Magnit is Russia's largest food retailer. Founded in 1994, the company is headquartered in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. As of December 31, 2014, Magnit operated 27 distribution centers and over 9,700 stores (3,344 convenience, 287 hypermarkets, and 1,080 drogerie stores) in approximately 2,100 cities and towns throughout 7 federal regions of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with the reviewed IFRS consolidated financial statements for 1H 2014, Magnit had revenues of USD 9,979 million USD and an EBITDA of USD 1,045 million USD. Magnit's local shares are traded on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MICEX: MGNT) and its GDRs on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: MGNT) and it has a credit rating from Standard & Poor's of BB. Measured by market capitalization, Magnit is one of the largest retailers in Europe.