Second Half Trading Update

Great Universal Stores PLC
4 April 2000
                       
                      THE GREAT UNIVERSAL STORES P.L.C.                       
                                       
                          SECOND HALF TRADING UPDATE


The Great Universal Stores P.L.C. ('GUS') today announces its regular pre-
close period update on trading.


Argos
Total sales for the second half were about 13% ahead of the same period last
year.  Excluding new store openings, which accounted for 3% of the growth,
like-for-like sales were up 10%.  While the introduction of the single
catalogue contributed the great majority of this, Argos also benefited from
strong growth in key product areas and more effective marketing.  Gross margin
was above last year.  Investments in infrastructure, e-commerce and IT have
increased costs during the second half; these projects will continue into the
new financial year.


UK Home Shopping
Total sales for the second half were approximately 5% below the same period
last year, with a deterioration in the fourth quarter caused by a further
slowdown in the agency market.  In line with previously identified trends,
sales of hard goods remained flat on last year, while clothing sales fell by
more than 10%.  Gross margin was down 1% over the period, but stock levels are
below last year.


Experian
In the second half, growth in sales outside North America remained strong.
However, Experian North America's second half sales were slightly below last
year.   The business in this period continued to be affected by higher US
interest rates, particularly in FARES, its real estate joint venture, and by
the final stages of the integration of Metromail and the development of
Insource, its integrated target marketing database.  These two projects are
now complete.

Experian's profits will include about £10m of gains realised on the disposal
of a small part of its e-commerce equity investments.  However, partly
offsetting this, profits in the second half will be impacted by the North
American factors mentioned above.


Other Businesses
Other businesses continue to trade broadly in line with expectations.


Future Announcements
GUS will announce its preliminary results on 8 June, at which time it will
report on the outcome of the business review for Catalogue Retailing.

It also intends in May to give an update on its plans for third party services
and e-commerce previously summarised in its 13 January statement. As stated
then, a dedicated management team is being put in place to develop our third
party services as a distinct business unit. Martin Trees, previously President
of Marketing and Strategy at Experian, has been appointed to lead this
activity, which will incorporate distribution, call centres and other
processing facilities for e-commerce and remote shopping fulfilment.


Enquiries:

GUS         David Tyler       Finance Director           Tel: [phone]
            Fay Dodds         Investor Relations

Finsbury    Rupert Younger                               Tel: [phone]
            Timothy Grey

The announcement is also available on the GUS website: www.gusplc.co.uk