Trading Statement

RNS Number:0920Q
Peacock Group PLC
24 September 2003

                                                               24 September 2003

                              THE PEACOCK GROUP PLC
                            QUARTERLY TRADING UPDATE


Prior to the end of the first half of its financial year on 27 September 2003,
The Peacock Group plc is pleased to issue the following trading update.

The Group continues to trade strongly with overall performance broadly in line
with that reported at the AGM on 16 July.

The table below sets out the combined group like-for-like sales and gross profit
growth for the first 25 weeks of the current financial year.

The Peacock Group                         12 wks to           25 wks to          13 weeks to
                                        20 September        20 September           28 June

LFL Sales                                    5.3%                8.2%               10.8%
LFL Gross Profit                            12.5%               13.1%               13.6%


These strong results continue to be driven by the successful re-positioning of
the Peacocks division towards offering more fashionable products in an updated
retail environment, combined with the bonmarche division continuing to exploit
its unique appeal to its distinct customer base.


Divisional Analysis                         12 wks to            25 wks to              13 wks to
                                           20 September         20 September             28 June

Peacocks LFL Sales                             8.8%                 8.5%                  8.1%
Peacocks LFL Gross Profit                     14.5%                11.6%                  9.1%

bonmarche LFL Sales                           (1.1)%                7.7%                 15.5%
bonmarche LFL Gross Profit                     8.8%                15.7%                 21.1%.


The 382 store Peacocks chain, including 15 new stores opened in the half to
date, continued to achieve a progressive improvement in its sales growth as the
refurbishment programme was rolled-out to a further 56 stores and new ranges
were well received.  The even stronger gross profit growth in the first 12 weeks
of the second quarter reflected the combined benefits of better margins on the
expanded fashion offer and lower markdowns due to the better sell through this
year on summer season lines.

A key feature of the bonmarche performance has been very strong early-season
sales combined with a significant increase in gross margins driven by much lower
markdowns than last year.  Whilst the resultant reduced stock levels contributed
to a slowing in the rate of like-for-like sales growth later in the season,
like-for-like gross profit growth remained strong. Recent weeks have seen the
division's sales respond well to the introduction of the new autumn collection
with like-for-like sales growth increasing back towards the levels of the first
quarter.  A further 21 new bonmarche stores were opened in the half to date
bringing the total to 289 in the chain.

Commenting on the trading update John Lovering, Chairman, said: "We are pleased
with the good progress we are making across the group and are confident that,
despite tougher comparative sales in the second half, good overall growth will
continue to be achieved."


Enquiries:

The Peacock Group plc                                 Hudson Sandler
Richard Kirk, Group Chief Executive                   Andrew Hayes/Keith Hann
Keith Bryant, Group Finance Director                  Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]



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