BFP Big Food Grp.

RNS Number:0159E
Big Food Group PLC
13 October 2004

                                                                 13 October 2004


                          The Big Food Group PLC

                      Second Quarter Trading Statement

The Company announces its trading statement for the thirteen and twenty six
weeks to 1 October 2004. This follows the update on 17 September for the ten and
twenty three weeks to 10 September.

Introduction

The consolidation in the food retail sector has continued to create a tougher
trading environment and increased competition in our key markets over the
period. In addition, the group benefited from the warmer weather in the
corresponding period last year and the 2003 Q2 trading statement highlighted the
beneficial impact on the sale of soft drinks and other seasonal products.  In
contrast, the weather this summer has been very poor with August being the
wettest on record.

Against this background, strategic progress has been made on all fronts with
further advance in the Iceland refit programme, the expansion of the Premier
fascia at Booker and the continued growth of Woodward in the foodservice
segment.

Sales

Like- for-like sales for the thirteen and twenty six weeks to 1 October 2004
were as follows:

                               Thirteen Weeks              Twenty Six Weeks
                                    %                              %
Group                             -3.3                          -1.9
Booker                            -4.1                          -2.6
        - Tobacco                 -3.5                          -1.8
        - Non tobacco             -4.6                          -3.2
Woodward                          27.3                          29.6
Iceland                           -3.9                          -2.8

At Booker, sales have continued to decline in the catering sector whilst sales
to the retail sector were also generally negative.  Like-for-like sales to
Premier fascia customers were slightly ahead of the same period in 2003.  A
further 135 Premier fascia customers were recruited during the quarter bringing
the total stores under this fascia to 1,721.

Woodward Foodservice continued its strong trend with like-for-like sales up 27%.
During the period, Woodward exited the frozen distribution facilities on the
Booker site at Hatfield and has transferred the operation to a third party
managed service at Bracknell.  An additional ambient grocery site is expected to
be opened before the end of the fiscal year.

At Iceland, 45 refits were completed and, together with one new store, 231
stores are now trading in one of the new formats.  Conversions have been
effected at most of the higher sales density stores suitable for the convenience
format and the programme is accordingly now centred on more typical frozen food
oriented Iceland locations.

Cash Flow

Average net debt for the 26 weeks to 1 October 2004 was approximately #245
million.

Restructuring

Following the completion of the Booker branch changes during Q1, the
distribution centre network has undergone the planned reorganisation.  The
Booker frozen product centre at Nuneaton has been closed and activities
transferred to Haydock and Hatfield whilst the national distribution centre at
Didcot has also been closed with a corresponding increase in activity at
Wellingborough.  Work has started to expand the frozen product capacity at
Iceland's Livingston distribution centre which will replace the operation at
Belshill in 2005.

The Company has also commenced a review of its central functions commensurate
with the programme already undertaken in branch operations and logistics.

Possible offer from Baugur

On 17 September, the Company announced that it had received a preliminary
approach from Baugur Group hf ("Baugur") and certain other investment partners
regarding a possible offer for all of the issued and to be issued share capital
of the Company.  A period of due diligence was commenced immediately and the
company is co-operating with Baugur and its banks on the provision of relevant
information.

Bill Grimsey, Chief Executive, commented:

"Trading has remained tough in the food sector in recent months for both
retailers and suppliers.  We now look to the important third quarter where our
plans for the Christmas period will be implemented with determination to provide
our customers with a bigger and better Christmas value package this year whilst
exploring the approach from Baugur."

Enquiries:
The Big Food Group
Bill Grimsey - Chief Executive                          Tel: 020 7796 4133
Bill Hoskins - Finance Director                         on 13 October 2004 only

Hudson Sandler
Andrew Hayes, Noemie de Andia, Sandrine Boussard        Tel: 020 7796 4133




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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