euro adhoc: Valora Holding AG / other / Valora Retail to extend its leadership in German railway station book retail

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Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible
for the content of this announcement.
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19.11.2008

- 19 station outlets acquired from Konrad Wittwer GmbH, Germany -
Valora now present at prime sites in all Federal German states -
Valora Group reconfirms objectives - recession not affecting Group´s
retail activities

19 station outlets acquired from Konrad Wittwer GmbH, Germany Valora
Retail has acquired a total of 19 retail units from the
Stuttgart-based Konrad Wittwer GmbH. These units generated sales of
more than CHF 30 million in 2007. This will boost Valora Retail
Germany´s current sales by some 13%. This acquisition represents a
further step in Valora´s growth strategy and will further strengthen
its core businesses. The transaction will become effective as of
December 31, 2008 subject to necessary approvals from the
Bundeskartellamt, Germany´s Federal competition authority.

Valora now present at prime sites in all Federal German states With
the new and thriving units acquired from Konrad Wittwer GmbH, Valora
will now have a presence at prime locations in Baden-Württemberg and
Saxony such as Stuttgart, Ulm and Dresden. Valora Retail will thus be
represented at major stations throughout Germany´s 16 Federal states,
a milestone for Valora Retail. The new shops will in future also
operate under the k presse + buch banner, Germany´s leading station
bookstore brand.

With its current network of 158 sales outlets at railway stations and
bookstores Valora Retail enjoys a strong position in the German
railway station bookstore market. In addition to these, the firm has
also opened a further 13 units in shopping centres, department stores
and retail parks. The firm´s acquisition of Konrad Wittwer GmbH´s
railway station bookstores, will increase its total number of
locations in Germany to 190.

Valora Group reconfirms objectives - recession not affecting Group´s
retail activities Valora successfully initiated its strategy
programme in the 3rd quarter of this year and implementation is now
in full swing. Budget objectives were exceeded. The Group´s sound
financial position has enabled it to finance the new acquisition from
disposable cash reserves. Valora reconfirms its stated objective of
achieving a lasting improvement in the Group´s income generation from
2009 onwards. By 2012 the Group intends to attain an EBIT margin of 3
- 4%, on annual sales growth of 3 - 5%.

Thomas Vollmoeller, CEO, adds: "This acquisition strengthens our
position in Germany, thus enabling our Group to become more
competitive and profitable. We are well on the way to meeting the
objectives we have set ourselves and look to the future with
confidence, despite the worldwide recession now unfolding. Our retail
activities are centred on the items consumers use on a daily basis,
and are thus clearly outside the luxury goods sector. Our three
divisions are sound, broadly based and continue to deliver the
earnings we expect. Given our business model and our experience, we
believe that our businesses are well placed to weather difficult
economic times. We are convinced that we will be able to achieve our
objectives".

*** About Konrad Wittwer GmbH Wittwer, the Stuttgart-based bookstore
firm, was established in 1867 and is now run by members of the
founding family´s fifth generation. In addition to its bookstores in
town-centre locations, the firm has been operating railway station
bookstores since 1878. Beyond its home in Baden-Württemberg, Wittwer
is well-known in Dresden and Chemnitz, and has earned an enviable
reputation as a bookseller, making it an ideal partner for Valora.
***

***
Valora Telephone Conference
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 11:00 CET

Thomas Vollmoeller, CEO of Valora Holding AG, and Kaspar Niklaus, CEO
Valora Retail, will provide information about the transaction during
a telephone conference. The Dial-In Conference Call will be held in
English.

To participate in the conference: call the following number (please
call 15 minutes prior to the conference beginning):

Europe +41 (0) 91 610 56 00
UK +44 (0) 207 107 06 11
USA +1 (1) 866 291 41 66

A playback of the conference will be available one hour after the
conference call for 24 hours. Participants requesting the Digital
Playback will be dialing:

Europa +41 (0) 91 612 43 30
UK +44 (0)207 108 62 33
USA +1 (1) 866 416 25 58

and will be asked to enter the Conference Reference 12601 followed by
the # sign. ***

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Valora Holding AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations:

Mladen Tomic

Tel.: +41 58 789 12 20

E-Mail: mladen.tomic@valora.com

oder

Media Relations:

Stefania Misteli

Tel.: +41 58 789 12 01

E-Mail: stefania.misteli@valora.com

Branche: Retail
ISIN: CH0002088976
WKN: 208897
Börsen: SWX Swiss Exchange / official market
BX Berne eXchange / official dealing