Interim Management Statement

RNS Number:6602G
Woolworths Group PLC
31 October 2007

                          Interim Management Statement
                                31 October 2007



Woolworths Group plc is today updating the market on trading for the 38 weeks to
27 October 2007.

Total Group sales for the 38 weeks are up 16.6% driven primarily by the
acquisitions and contract wins within the Entertainment Wholesale business.

Cumulatively, Woolworths Retail like-for-like sales for the 38 weeks are -0.4%.
Margin delivery is currently in line with our expectation of a 100 basis point
improvement for the full year and we have reduced stock levels year-on-year
reflecting improved efficiency in the supply chain.  The Retail business is well
set up operationally as we enter the critical Christmas sales period and the
Worth it! Range continues to perform well.

Overall third party sales increased by 61.9% in the Entertainment Wholesale
division including THE and Bertrams.  The contract to supply ASDA is now fully
operational and the work to integrate the independent books business of THE into
Bertrams is now well underway and will complete in early 2008.

Sales at 2 entertain have increased by 14.5%, continuing to benefit from the
success of Planet Earth in the US and the strength of its Autumn releases.


Chief Executive, Trevor Bish-Jones, said:

"We have made good progress across all of our businesses in the year to date. We
are confident that operationally the businesses are in good shape, with strong
customer propositions going into the critical Christmas trading period.
However, we continue to be cautious about the trading environment and have
planned accordingly by focussing on cost control, cash generation and margin
enhancement."




For further information please contact:
 Stephen East, Group Finance Director                   020 7479 5179
 Susanna Voyle, Tulchan Communications                  020 7353 4200 
 Celia Gordon Shute, Tulchan Communications             020 7353 4200




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

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