WLW Woolworths

RNS Number:1315Z
Woolworths Group PLC
27 May 2004

                              Woolworths Group plc

                             Trading Statement for

                      First Quarter 13 weeks to 1 May 2004

                    Embargoed until 7.00 hrs on 27 May 2004



At the Woolworths Group plc Annual General Meeting to be held at 11.00am this
morning, the Group Chairman, Gerald Corbett will provide an update on key
strategic initiatives and trading in the first quarter of the current financial
year.

In the 13 weeks to 1 May 2004, total Group sales increased 6.5 per cent to
#576.6 million.  Underlying retail sales (Mainchain, Woolworths big W and MVC)
for the 13 week period grew 1.6 per cent versus the same period last year after
adjusting for the agency treatment of electronic top-up sales for mobile phones
and the outsourcing of the in-store cafe operation.  Entertainment third party
sales (Entertainment UK and VCI) grew 45.0 per cent.

Group retail like-for-like sales increased by 1.0 per cent.  Within this, the
Mainchain was up 1.0 per cent, Woolworths big W increased by 0.9 per cent and
MVC was up 1.2 per cent.  The gross margin has continued to show solid year on
year improvement.  The overall sales and margin performance reflects the
successful execution of the Easter trading strategy.

The store refit programme is on schedule, with a further twelve stores having
been converted already this year.  These stores are showing similar sales and
margin improvements to the first ten.

Good progress is being made in working through the future of the Woolworths big
W properties.  There has been a high level of interest in the sites and the
smaller out-of-town proposition continues to be refined.  A further update will
be given with the pre-close statement on 21 July 2004.

Commenting on the first quarter's trading performance Gerald Corbett said, "The
Group's recovery programme continues to progress and the current financial year
has begun as planned."



For further information contact:

Christopher Rogers, Finance Director                 020 7706 5883

Nicole Lander, Head of Corporate Affairs             020 7706 5653

Kate Inverarity, 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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