HATZIOANNOU HOLDINGS S.A. informs the investing public that the private placement of shares of its subsidiary company SPRIDER STORES S.A. to foreign institutional investors was successfully completed on Friday, October 6th, 2006. Sales were made through ALPHA FINANCE, while book building was covered through SAL OPPENHEIM Bank in collaboration with MERIT Securities, through which the shares were also purchased.

HATZIOANNOU HOLDINGS S.A. now holds 39% of SPRIDER STORES share capital, i.e. 10,245,680 shares, from 59%, i.e. 15,495,680 shares, held before the placement.

For further information please contact Aea Relate: Kostas Panagakis: panagakis@aea.gr, tel. +30 210 7418900