J Sainsbury plc resp. to OFT

Sainsbury(J) PLC
30 July 2003


J Sainsbury plc response to Secretary of State announcement regarding its
possible acquisition of 171 Somerfield stores

Sainsbury's notes that the Secretary of State today announced that she has
decided to refer Sainsbury's possible acquisition of 171 Somerfield stores to
the Competition Commission.

Sir Peter Davis, Sainsbury's group chief executive, said,

'We are disappointed with the outcome and will reflect on the issues raised in
the report once it has been published.'

Contacts:
Lynda Ashton
Head of Investor Relations
Tel:      [phone]

Pip Wood
Head of Media
Tel:      [phone]


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