BFP Big Food Grp.

RNS Number:6274X
Big Food Group PLC
15 April 2004



                                                                   15 April 2004



                             The Big Food Group plc
                       Fourth Quarter Trading Statement

The Company announces its trading statement for the fourteen weeks to 2 April
2004.

Introduction

The concentration of the food retailing sector continued to accelerate during
the early months of 2004, affecting both the supermarket and convenience
segments of the market. The Company believes that the food retail market should
be viewed as a single entity.  Having correctly identified the changing habits
of consumers within this single market the Company continues to develop its
strategy of establishing a strong position in the growing convenience store
segment through its own operations and those of its independent retail
customers.

Trading in both the retail and foodservice markets has eased from the Christmas
period and the Company has controlled margins and costs in this environment
accordingly.

Sales

All parts of the group produced positive like for like sales growth for the
year. Like for like sales for the fourteen and fifty-three week periods to 2
April were as follows:

                                                                 Fourteen Weeks                       Fifty-Three Weeks
                                                                              %                                       %
Group                                                                       1.4                                     1.5
Booker *                                                                    1.2                                     1.2
          - Tobacco *                                                       4.2                                     1.9
          - Non tobacco                                                    -1.2                                     0.7
Woodward                                                                   34.9                                    26.6
Iceland                                                                    -0.2                                     0.7

* Phonecards and e-top up have been excluded from sales in accordance with the
policy   adopted in the interim report and accounts.

In Booker, tobacco sales have continued to benefit from the successful
implementation of Spend and Save at the beginning of the financial year.  Non
tobacco sales to the independent retail sector have similarly benefited with
like for like sales up 0.5%.  In particular, the expansion of the Premier fascia
continued with the addition of 91 stores during the quarter.  By the end of the
financial year there were 1455 Premier retailers against 1001 at 28 March 2003
and like for like sales to this customer group increased by 8.5%.  Meanwhile,
sales to the foodservice sector have experienced a softer end to the year
pointing towards a slower start to the hospitality and tourist season leading up
to Easter.

At Woodward Foodservice the like for like sales performance continues to be
strong.  Investments in sales resources and distribution infrastructure have
resulted in especially strong gains in national accounts and ambient product
sales.

At Iceland, sales from the estate awaiting renewal softened during the final
quarter. This reflected the effects of increased competition as well as the
temporary disruption caused by changes designed to improve customer service
within store operations. In contrast, the positive sales impact of the refit
programme continues to underpin the transition towards convenience retailing.
23 refits were completed during the quarter and at the end of the financial year
142 stores were trading in the new format.  The refit programme will further
accelerate from three refits per week to six per week after Easter.

As announced on 11 March 2004, Andrew Clarke will be joining the Company as
Iceland managing director on 26 April 2004. He previously held senior management
positions with Asda having started his career with Morrison.

Profitability

Favourable advances in margins and the tight control of costs are expected to
result in an outturn in profitability for the year in line with the Company's
expectations.

Cash Flow

Net debt for the fifty-three weeks to 2 April 2004 averaged #251 million, a
reduction of #22 million from the previous year.

Londis

The Company continues to believe that its strategic expansion into convenience
store retailing would be greatly enhanced by the opportunity which Londis
represents. Equally importantly, the Company considers that a partnership would
strengthen the Londis brand identity in the neighbourhood retail environment as
competition increases for this growth segment. The Company awaits further
developments from the process initiated by the Londis Board.

Outlook

The year as a whole has seen greater stability in the Group's performance which
has been achieved by the roll out of its strategic initiatives.  The market
place itself continues to experience greater competitiveness together with
pressures on both selling prices and costs.  These factors are expected to
increase in intensity during the year ahead.  The pace of change will require
improved operational efficiencies and the successful exploitation of the proven
customer facing strategies.

Bill Grimsey, Chief Executive of The Big Food Group commented:

"Faced with an increasingly competitive and fast-consolidating UK food retailing
market, we are confident that we have put in place the right development
strategies for the Company.  With the acceleration of the Iceland refit
programme next year and the maintenance of a tight control over margins and
costs, we can compete in tomorrow's world."

The Company intends to report its preliminary results for 2003/04 on 27 May
2004.

Enquiries

The Big Food Group plc
Bill Grimsey - Chief Executive                        Telephone: 020 7796 4133
Bill Hoskins - Finance Director                       On 15 April 2004 only

Hudson Sandler Limited
Andrew Hayes
Noemie de Andia                                       Tel: 020 7796 4133






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