Sec of State's Announcement

Sainsbury(J) PLC
26 September 2003



26 September 2003



Sainsbury's response to the Secretary of State's announcement

Sainsbury's notes the Secretary of State's announcement today that she is
accepting the conclusions of the Competition Commission and has decided not to
permit Sainsbury's possible offer for Safeway.


Peter Davis, Sainsbury's group chief executive, said,  'We are disappointed with
this outcome. However, we are encouraged that we have the chance to bid for some
of the stores that Morrison's is required to divest and believe we are well
placed to bid for a worthwhile number of these stores. The Competition
Commission's report is a significant document comprising five hundred pages and
we will reflect on its detailed content.'






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