Trading Statement

Actif Group PLC
5 March 2001


5 March 2001



                               ACTIF GROUP PLC

TRADING UPDATE AND BOARD CHANGES


We reported in November that the initial sales performance of the Joe Boxer
retail concessions had been below expectation. We are disappointed to report
that there has been no significant improvement in this performance and as the
concessions are not generating acceptable returns the Board has decided to
close them on a phased basis by the end of August.



The board believes that the significant marketing spend on Joe Boxer has
helped to establish the brand and that there is now a viable wholesale
opportunity. The company is in discussion with a number of major retailers to
carry the brand from Autumn 2001 on a wholesale basis, and initial orders have
been received.



Our core business, ELLE, continues to trade satisfactorily with year to date
like-for-like retail sales up 7%.  The Company is currently examining
opportunities to develop the ELLE brand more rapidly and is actively
negotiating with a number of department stores to take additional, high
quality concession space.



The significant trading losses arising from the performance of the Joe Boxer
concessions will give rise to a small trading loss for the Group for the year
which will be increased by exceptional costs arising from the closure of the
Joe Boxer retail concessions. These exceptional costs will be a maximum of £
650,000 of which about half will have a negative impact on cash.



Actif Group plc announces the appointment of David Brock as Chairman of the
Group with effect from today.  David joined Actif as a Non-Executive Director
prior to the Company's listing on the Alternative Investment Market in January
2000 and he succeeds Peter Roberts who has resigned from the Board to pursue
his other business interests.  The Board has reluctantly accepted the
resignation of Martin Parker, Retail Managing Director, who is taking early
retirement with effect from May 2001 for personal reasons. The company would
like to acknowledge and thank both directors for all their contribution over
the last few years. There is now a strong retail management team in place
which will report directly to the Chief Executive, Martin Lent.



David Brock, Chairman, Actif Group plc said:  'I look forward to a new
challenge in my role as Chairman.  I will use my retail and PLC experience to
help the Group focus on its core ELLE business to ensure we achieve the
maximum potential for the brand.'




Enquiries:        Martin Lent, Actif Group plc

                         Tel:  [phone]

                  Piers Hooper/ Wendy Baker, Hudson Sandler

                         Tel:  [phone]