AGM Statement

RNS Number:4488G
John David Group (The) PLC
20 July 2006


20 July 2006

                            THE JOHN DAVID GROUP Plc

                               AGM TRADING UPDATE


At the AGM of The John David Group Plc (the "Group"), a leading retailer of
fashionable branded sportswear and fashion apparel, the following trading update
will be provided to shareholders at 1pm today:

On 4 May 2006 in the Preliminary Announcement of the Group's results for the
year ended 31 January 2006, we reported like for like sales growth of 2.1% in
our Sports Fascias (excluding the newly acquired Allsports stores) for the 13
weeks ended 29 April 2006. In the same period, like for like sales in our
Fashion Fascias declined by -5.2%.

After a further 11 weeks of trading, like for like sales for the 24 weeks ended
15 July 2006 have improved in both Fascia groups. The non-Allsports Sports
Fascia stores are now up by 4.0%, having benefited to some extent from the World
Cup. The Fashion Fascias are now down by only -0.6%. The overall performance of
the acquired Allsports property portfolio, which continues to be refocussed,
remains satisfactory and the acquisition is proving useful in demonstrating
varying product preferences in different localities. Overall gross margins
continue to improve gradually in both Fascias and operating costs are in line
with expectations.

The Board remains confident that current trading remains in line with its
expectations.

The main development in the business since we last reported has been the
acquisition on 23 June 2006 of 14 airport stores in various terminals at
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted from Hargreaves (Sports) Limited. The Hargreaves
business was acquired earlier in the year by Sportsworld International Limited
which has a holding of approximately 10% in the Group. The consideration for
this transaction was #5 million. The Board believes that airport retailing is
particularly relevant to the Group's product offer and that these stores
complement the Manchester Airport store acquired last year with Allsports.

Progress also continues to be made with the rationalisation of the legacy store
portfolio from which a further 11 stores (8 Sport; 3 Fashion) have been closed
since the year end and two small stores have been opened in the Sports Fascias.

The Board expects to announce its interim results on 28 September 2006.


Enquiries:                                                    

The John David Group Plc                                      Tel: [phone]

Peter Cowgill, Executive Chairman

Barry Bown, Chief Executive

Brian Small, Finance Director


Hogarth Partnership Limited                                   Tel: [phone]

Andrew Jaques

Barnaby Fry

Charlie Field




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