Finnish retailer Kesko on Friday reported its October-to-December pretax profit jumping to about 116 million euros from eight million in the year-ago period.

Final-quarter sales fell by about eight per cent year-on-year to some 2.15 billion euros.

"Making any statement about the group's future outlook continues to be impacted by the economic outlook and the increasing unemployment," Kesko said in a statement.

"In 2010, Kesko group's net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations are expected to match the level of 2009."

STT