Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Growth strategy yielded a record result. 2019 was a great year for Tesco and K group. As I said, it's an all time record year in terms of sales and our result.
And we can also say that our financial position and cash flow were strengthened and we're at a very good level. We saw some excellent performance in the grocery trade, and this trend has continued for a longer period of time, several years already. It was also great to see for 2019 that we were once again ranked among the most sustainable trade groups, the most sustainable grocery trade company. Strong growth continued in the building and technical trade, positive development in sales and profit. And despite challenges in the market and availability, some strong profit generation continued in the car trade.
Strong year. Net sales grew to 1000000000 3.3% change in net sales, operating profit comparable operating profit, a record of 1,000,000, operating margin at close to 1,000,000 of profit for the reporting period. And earnings per share, 2.97, almost 3. Strong cash flow strong financial position, excellent development here as planned. Cash flow from operating activities at 1,000,000, liquid assets, almost 1,000,000 and interest bearing net debt, excluding lease liabilities, 1,000,000 interest bearing net debt to EBITDA below 1 and lease liabilities at 1,000,000,000.
We have a growth strategy. And since 2015, as the chairman of the board said, we've been able to execute it successfully, and we could see that yet again in our net sales and their growth per division in grocery trade, strong growth yet again, getting over 1,000,000,000, a growth of 3.2% in comparable terms and in building and technical trade, strong growth continued. Taking us to over 1,000,000,000 to growth of over 2% in comparable terms. In the car trade, net sales of over 1,000,000, but due to European disruptions in this trade negative development in net sales there. We're satisfied with our operating profit.
That's a record result, as I said, in grocery trade, since 2015, In executing our growth strategy, we've seen continued increase in operating profit, almost at 1000000. An increase of 1,000,000. We're also very satisfied with developments in the building and technical trade here. We've been able to increase our operating profit stably since 2015. Now almost at 1,000,000 and an increase of 1,000,000 there.
As for the car trade, we can be satisfied with the result that we achieved in its difficult market situation, almost 1,000,000. That speaks for our great ability to achieve results in a difficult market situation. Looking at Ghesco, operating profit for the entire year, 1,000,000, and an improvement of over 33,000,000 there. And we have been executing our growth strategy in a determined approach same goes for investments last year. Total capital expenditure stood at 1,000,000 capital expenditure in store sites, renovation of store sites, acquiring new store sites.
They continue to be focus area, 227,700,000 there. Acquisitions to support Our growth 1,000,000 spent there Digitalization, IT, IT investments in online stores and many other factors. These have been a focus area. And investments there last year, 30 1,000,000 and other investments, development investments, 1,000,000. Next, I'll talk to you about the impacts of the COVID-nineteen epidemic and measures taken.
At Gescco in the midst of these exceptional circumstances. First of all, it's good to remember that the epidemic began to affect operation significantly from mid March onwards. There are worldwide efforts being made to stop the epidemic, but we must prepare for the possibility that the exceptional circumstances will last for some time In response, we've adjusted our management practices and operations as necessary on a broad front. Looking at the effects of the epidemic, there are worldwide effects The effects on the economy will depend on the duration and success of containment measures. Looking at our 8 Countries.
In all of our eight countries, we keep going through the effects of measures containment measures and assessing effects on our business. There are significant differences between these countries in terms of strategies in tackling this epidemic, but it's noteworthy that the estimated effects in GDP, the differences there are very small. I want to highlight though that the baseline in all predictions is that there will be massive effects on GDP. And this will affect purchasing power this year and potentially in years to come. As I said, we have taken up and we are implementing measures on a very broad front.
And we have already been successful at adjusting Gerskros and K groups' operations to the situation. Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of our customers and personnel It's also important to ensure functioning, purchasing and supply chains, growing online, sales services, quickly scaling, postponing development projects has been important to focus on dealing with a situation It's been important to secure ensuring the availability and sufficiency of financing is also important in case the crisis is prolonged. And I can assure you that the epidemic is well under control in K Group. We've made significant investments in protection and constant efforts are made to improve safety. In all of our sites and outlets and all the 1800 case stores we have and if in and abroad.
Testing has begun and will be expanded. Over 300 K Group members have been tested and we'll be increasing testing in the future. So far, We've seen some 30 confirmed cases. Yesterday's figure was 32 This tells us that we have successfully implemented our measures in tackling this epidemic keeping in mind that there are over 43,000 of us working here at Gescor and for K retailers. So the message here is that our measures have been successful.
Preparations to safely return back to normal have begun. We're keeping a close eye both in Finland and abroad on the easing of restrictions based on government decisions, and we are prepared to implement these in practice. Impacts vary between divisions, business areas, grocery trade, we've seen an increase in food sales. In stores and online, Casper's sales are down by approximately 50% due to restrictions. And sales of home and specialty goods have turned on a downturn due to lower customer decay service stations due to reduced traffic, but these this business area is a smaller area for us.
And then looking at the impact on the market, significant growth in food retail, hoarding seen in individual product categories, fewer customer visits, but bigger purchase, strong growth in demand for online sales of groceries. Online grocery sales are important to us and the new Krawakot.fi platform, which we have built and developed ourselves 2, 3 years ago, has really shown its strength in this situation. And we've been able to scale it up very quickly. We have 360 k food stores offering their services online and some 20 new stores are added to the network every week. Despite the high increase in demand here, we've been able to maintain very high customer satisfaction.
The NPS score of 'eighty two sends us a strong message here. Development has been overwhelming online share of retail sales rose to 5% in April. And some years ago, it was at 0 point 3% impact on Building And Technical trade sales, they've been moderate, surprisingly. So building and home improvement B2C sales on a good level. Also in B2B trade on Ninance sales development has been very good.
However, in Lithuania, we have suffered due to government measures. Stores were closed in mid March and opened on 16th April and a significant decline in leisure trade sales. As for the impact on market, it's been estimated that the situation will continue as it is in the immediate future. But it's clear that visibility is poor at the moment, especially in the building and technical trade. And it is possible that activity in building will slow down towards theendoftheyear, but It's also good to keep in mind massive stimulus measures, which are being and will be taken in Europe and in Finland.
And hopefully, these measures will have a significant positive impact on our economy. As for the car trade, demand has declined significantly as a result of this epidemic, and we can see this throughout our operations. As for the market, we can say that the overall market in terms of new cars has decreased both in consumer and corporate customers. And it's been estimated that the situation will continue until further notice. And on the other hand, servicing and spare parts services will continue to be needed and this will generate a good stable cash flow, even in exceptional situation.
Ladies and gentlemen, I can assure you that we will continue to implement our growth strategy with a determined approach. But right now, our focus is on crisis management. We're monitoring the situation, and we are working based on what I already described to you. And as we gain more visibility in terms of the crisis and epidemic and the global economy, and the European economy, we will gradually make decisions. As to how we will increase our activities chairman of the board already stated in his opening words, the board has proposed to the annual general meeting that a dividend of per share be paid into installments and There's been a proposal by the board of a share split.
And in line with the board proposal, 3 new shares will be issued for each current. Share. As for our outlook, due to the epidemic, we have updated our outlook in March, This guidance is still valid due to the pandemic and global economic uncertainty. We estimate that the company's comparable operating profit for continuing operations will amount to 450,000,000 in 2020, thus falling somewhat short of the 2019 comparable operating profit, which was the record high of 1,000,000. Even this operating profit will be a good one, the 2nd highest figure in our history.
At the same time, I have to remind you that our visibility is limited, as I mentioned, and that's why we're not issuing guidance regarding net sales. Mr. Chairman, this was my review