4th Quarter Trading Statement

Sainsbury(J) PLC
13 April 2000


J Sainsbury plc - Fourth Quarter Trading Statement 


Sainsbury's Group sales, excluding Sainsbury's Bank and property, increased by
7.2% during the 12 weeks to 1 April 2000.  This result is due to an improving
sales trend in the UK Supermarkets business, continued strong growth in
Homebase and good like-for-like sales performance in our US Supermarkets.

Sainsbury's Supermarkets

Total sales in Sainsbury's Supermarkets increased by 2.7% in the fourth
quarter including like-for-like sales growth of 0.6%.  

The underlying trend in like-for-like sales volume growth, adjusted for the
strong Christmas and Millennium period in the third quarter, has been one of
steady improvement.  Inflation overall averaged 0.6% in the fourth quarter,
entirely due to petrol price inflation.  Food price inflation remained
negative in the quarter reflecting lower fresh food prices and our commitment
to improving the value we offer to our customers.

Homebase

Homebase had another successful quarter with total sales growth of 11.9%. 
Like-for-like sales growth was 10.4%, which although still strong, is slightly
down on previous quarters due to continuing competitive pressures. 

US Supermarkets

The integration of Star Markets continues to go well and sales in US
Supermarkets increased by 29.6% in the fourth quarter.  Shaw's continues to
perform well where like-for-like sales growth was 3.5%. 


                                 Sainsbury's    Homebase**     US  
                                 Supermarkets*                 Supermarkets***
                                 YTD     Q4     YTD     Q4     YTD       Q4
Total sales growth %             1.7     1.8    10.1    3.0    26.0      29.6
Easter adjustment %              0.5     0.9     3.6    8.9    n/a       n/a
Total sales growth % (adj)       2.2     2.7    13.7   11.9    26.0      29.6
Less:  net new space added %     2.0     2.1     1.5    1.5    22.9      26.1
Like-for-like sales growth(adj)% 0.2     0.6    12.2   10.4     3.1       3.5



*   Including Savacentre, excluding pharmacy sales.
**  Homebase total sales growth for Q4 excluding Hampden is 8.5% on an Easter
    adjusted basis.
*** Excluding sales taxes.  Shaw's total sales growth for Q4 excluding Star 
    Markets is 1.2%.

The Group will be announcing its Preliminary results on 31 May 2000.  

Note:  All figures included in the text above are quoted on an Easter adjusted
basis where relevant.


Contacts:
Investor Relations:  Roger Matthews/Amanda Cobb - 0171 695 6215
Press:               Dominic Fry - 0171 695 6127