SEPARATION UPDATE

Kingfisher PLC
4 May 2001



                                                      4 May 2001


           Kingfisher - Separation of General Merchandise on Track

Following continued speculation in the press, Kingfisher confirms that the
Board has today reviewed the progress of both options for the separation,
either by demerger or disposal, of its General Merchandise businesses. It also
confirms that the process is on target to be completed by the end of the
Group's second quarter.


A further up-date on progress will be given to shareholders at the Annual
General Meeting on 23rd May.

                                    -ends-

                               Notes to Editors


Kingfisher plc is one of Europe's leading retailers, operating principally
through its two international businesses in home improvement and electrical &
furniture and its UK-focused general merchandise business. The company employs
more than 130,000 people in over 2,900 stores across 16 countries and has some
of the best known retail brands in Europe, including B&Q, Castorama, Comet,
Darty, BUT, Woolworths and Superdrug among others.



For further information:

Media Enquiries:
Jonathan Miller                               [phone]
Tom Wyatt, Financial Dynamics                 [phone]

Broker and Institutional Enquiries:
Andrew Mills                                  [phone]
Graham Fairbank (France)                      [phone]
Kingfisher plc                                [phone]
Kingfisher Website                            http://www.kingfisher.com/