OFT Clearance

GUS PLC
18 December 2002


                                                                18 December 2002


                                    GUS PLC

                       CLEARANCE OF HOMEBASE ACQUISITION


GUS plc, the retail and business services group, welcomes the announcement by
the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that she has cleared its
acquisition of Homebase, a leading UK DIY and home furnishings retailer, without
any reference to the Competition Commission.  GUS expects to complete the
transaction before Christmas.


Future announcements

GUS' Third Quarter Trading Update will be on 14 January 2003.



Enquiries


GUS
David Tyler                  Finance Director                     020 7495 0070
Fay Dodds                    IR Director

Finsbury
Rupert Younger                                                    020 7251 3801
Rollo Head


GUS announcements are available on its web site www.gusplc.com.


This announcement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for
or otherwise acquire or dispose of any GUS plc shares.  Past performance is not
a guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an
independent financial adviser.




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