Trading Statement

GUS PLC
13 January 2005


13 January 2005

                                    GUS plc
                          Third Quarter Trading Update



GUS plc, the retail and business services group, today issues its regular update
on trading.


John Peace, Group Chief Executive of GUS, said:


'Despite a challenging retail environment, Argos again outperformed its market,
with sales up 6% and gross margin slightly ahead. Experian achieved a record
quarter for growth, with an exceptional increase in sales of 30% in North
America. Against this background, we remain comfortable with expectations for
the Group for the full year.'



Argos Retail Group


% change in sales year-on-year for 15 weeks to 8 January 2005

                                                            %
Argos           - total                                     6
                - like-for-like                             1

Homebase        - total                                     8
                - like-for-like                             4


Argos
In a period where UK retail demand weakened significantly and competition
intensified, Argos again outperformed its market by offering consumers improved
choice, value and convenience. Its sales grew by 6% in total, while gross margin
also increased.


Of the 6% total sales growth in the period, 5% came from new stores, which
continue to perform well, and 1% from like-for-like growth. Toys and jewellery
were difficult markets; their contribution to sales in the third quarter is
about double that in the rest of the year. There were, however, particularly
strong performances from consumer electronics, photography, white goods, mobile
phones and leisure.


Argos achieved a slight increase in its gross margin in the period compared to
last year, while continuing to offer lower prices and increasing its promotional
activity. This rise was funded by gains from its supply chain programme and the
impact of a weaker dollar.


Argos Direct, the delivery-to-home operation, grew its sales by 15%,
representing 18% of revenue compared to 17% in the same period last year. Orders
via the Internet increased by about one third, contributing 5% of sales. The
Argos website was again the most frequently visited UK high street retail
website in December.


The main Spring/Summer catalogue, which will be launched on 22 January,
continues to offer customers better value and increased range with 13,300 lines,
3% more than a year ago. The new Argos Extra catalogue will have 17,500 lines,
also up 3%. Argos Extra traded to plan over the peak period and preparations
continue for national roll-out. The offer, which is currently available in 157
stores, will be extended to a further 30 stores and to the Internet by early
summer.


Homebase
Against a slowing market, Homebase increased its sales by 8% in total. Of this,
4% came from new stores, with four new stores having opened in the quarter,
bringing the total to 287. Like-for-like sales increased by 4%, boosted by the
timing of a '10% off' event included at the end of this period but in the fourth
quarter last year. New ranges in paint, tiling and lighting continued to perform
well, as did kitchens and bathrooms.


Gross margin was in line with last year, with supply chain gains funding
increased promotional activity, especially in seasonal ranges and big ticket
items.


The in-store experience at Homebase continues to be enhanced through its focus
on improving customer service, stock availability and retailing basics, as
demonstrated by regular customer surveys.


Experian

% change in sales year-on-year for the three months to 31 December 2004

Continuing activities only       At actual exchange             At constant 
                                        rates %               exchange rates %

Experian North America                    19                        30
Experian International                    18                        18
Global Experian                           19                        24


Experian had a record quarter for growth, with total worldwide sales from
continuing activities up by 24% at constant exchange rates. This builds on five
consecutive six-month periods of double-digit sales growth.


Experian North America
In dollars, Experian North America sales growth from continuing activities
accelerated to 30% in the third quarter. Corporate acquisitions, most of which
were completed in the second half of the last financial year, accounted for 13%
of this. Exceptional growth was delivered by Consumer Direct and by MetaReward,
its Internet lead-generation business acquired in November 2003. The latter had
an outstanding quarter, undertaking some large, but lower margin, client
projects.


Excluding acquisitions, Credit sales showed very strong growth, reflecting
product innovation and market share gains. Business information, account
management and other value-added solutions (such as online notifications, Scorex
and fraud) all grew strongly, as did Consumer Direct. Sales to the mortgage
sector were level with last year. Excluding acquisitions, the rate of growth in
Marketing sales, which account for about a quarter of total revenue, was
mid-single digit.


The first phase of the roll-out of the free credit report service, as required
under the FACT Act, took effect from 1 December 2004. The planned cost recovery
charge, initially at half its final level, contributed around 1% to total sales
in the quarter.


Experian International
Experian International, which accounts for about 45% of Experian's worldwide
revenue, grew sales from continuing activities by 18% at constant exchange
rates. Of this, 12% came from acquisitions, predominantly QAS, the address
management software company acquired in October 2004, which is trading to plan.


Excluding acquisitions, broadly similar rates of sales growth were achieved by
each of Credit, Marketing and Outsourcing. Double-digit sales growth was
delivered in many areas including UK credit information and value-added
products; in Business Strategies (micromarketing and economic forecasting); in
information services in France; and from operations in Italy and in Eastern
Europe (particularly Russia).


Burberry
GUS has a 66% stake in Burberry Group plc. The following summarises the latter's
Trading Update released on 12 January 2005.


% change in sales year-on-year for the third quarter ended 1 January 2005
                                                           %
At actual exchange rates                                   3
At constant exchange rates                                 7


Total revenues at Burberry in the third quarter increased by 7% at constant
exchange rates.


Retail sales, which accounted for approximately 59% of total revenue in the
period, increased by 6% at constant exchange rates, driven by contributions from
newly opened and refurbished stores. Wholesale sales increased by 5% at constant
exchange rates. With Spring/Summer merchandise shipments concentrated in the
fourth quarter, Burberry continues to anticipate mid to high single-digit growth
for the Spring/Summer 2005 season. Licensing revenues increased by 14% at
constant exchange rates, reflecting strong gains by global product licensees.


Future announcements

GUS will announce its Preliminary Results for the 12 months to 31 March 2005 on
25 May 2005. The Second Half Trading Update will be on 14 April 2005.



Enquiries


GUS
David Tyler                   Finance Director                   020 7495 0070
Fay Dodds                     Director of Investor Relations


Finsbury
Rupert Younger                                                   020 7251 3801
Rollo Head


GUS announcements are available on its website, www.gusplc.com. There will be a
conference call to discuss this update at 3pm today, with a recording available
later on the GUS website.


Certain statements made in this Trading Update are forward-looking statements.
Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from any expected future results in forward-looking statements.







                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange