Statement re LibertySurf

Kingfisher PLC
11 May 2000

                                       
                     ANNOUNCEMENT BY LIBERTYSURF GROUP SA
                                       
Kingfisher draws attention to the attached announcement by LibertySurf in
France on 11 May 2000.

LibertySurf is one of Europe's premier internet providers and 38 percent owned
by Kingfisher.



For further information

Media Enquiries
Gwen Gober, Director of Corporate Affairs              + 44 (0) 20 7725 5714
Gail Lavielle, Director of Corporate Communications    + 33 (10) 43 18 52 68

Broker and Institutional Enquiries
Keith Williams, Director of Investor Relations         [phone]
Graham Fairbank, Head of Corporate Affairs             + 33 (1) 43 18 52 26

Kingfisher plc                                         + 44 (0) 20 7724 7749
Kingfisher website                                     www.kingfisher.co.uk

                                                                              
      LIBERTYSURF ENTERS UK ISP MARKET WITH 'NO STRINGS' INTERNET ACCESS

LibertySurf,  the  pan  European Internet Service  provider,  whose  principle
shareholders  are  Kingfisher  and Europ@web,  enters  the  UK  market  today,
becoming  the  first  ISP to offer unmetered off peak internet  access  for  a
single  annual  cost  of  £20.  There are  no  hidden  charges,  no  confusing
conditions or any need to change phone operators. It will be available on  the
High Street through selected Kingfisher plc's retail brands; on sales in Comet
and MVC from 12 May and Woolworths from June.

The  launch demonstrates Liberty Surf UK's commitment to liberating access  to
the  internet and aims to shift industry dynamics and build a powerful e-brand
in  the  UK.  In line with the government's aim to get more consumers  online,
LibertySurf  is  challenging the industry to clean up  its  act,  stop  making
confusing  claims,  eliminate complex small print, or  risk  constraining  net
growth in the UK.

LibertySurf is offering peak time internet access (from 8am to 6pm  Monday  to
Friday) at 1p per minute with the option of upgrading to 24 hour, 7 day a week
unmetered access for a £35 annual charge. This provides a strong challenge  to
its  competitors,  offering  a  solution to the increasing  confusion  amongst
consumers seeking internet access.

Independent  research reveals that a clear, jargon-free, competitively  priced
Internet  service could bring five million people onto the net for  the  first
time. Over 20% of the UK population is deterred from using the web by high and
confusing charges and a staggering 77% of consumers are still unsure  what  an
ISP actually is.

The LibertySurf offer leverages Kingfisher's vast distribution channels and
re-defines the marriage between retail and Internet access.

Gregory  Sukornyk, CEO of Liberty Surf UK commented: 'This initiative provides
further  evidence  of  Liberty Surf's fast track pan  European  implementation
strategy  and  demonstrates  the commitment of our two  largest  shareholders,
Kingfisher  and Europ@web, which provide us with established distribution  and
strategic partnerships'.

'We are also demonstrating once again that we are innovators in this space  by
pioneering  a  new  model  for Internet access.  We believe  consumers  simply
choose  an  ISP  as  a  gateway to the Internet and  above  all  they  want  a
competitive price with excellent service.  Consumers are tired of being  given
the  promise  of  'free', with the reality of large phone bills.   LibertySurf
instantly delivers what the customer is crying out for - a simple and  clearly
priced way of getting online.'

Hidden  charges  and  a lack of technical support were cited  as  the  biggest
deterrents  when dealing with service companies.  LibertySurf's single  annual
payment  and free 24 hour, 7 day a week customer help line will address  these
and other consumer issues.

Roger Holmes, Chief Executive of Kingfisher's electrical sector, and member of
the  LibertySurf board said: 'Kingfisher welcomes and fully supports this  new
UK  offer from LibertySurf. The partnership with Comet and MVC is an excellent
example of how the marriage between e-business and bricks and mortar retailing
can  add value for customers. The similar partnership between LibertySurf  and
Darty  in France has been a great success, and we are very pleased to be  able
to  play a pioneering role today in the newest stage of the development of the
ISP market in the UK.'

LibertySurf will be on sale from 12 May in 260 Comet stores and 86 MVC  stores
throughout the country, with plans to launch in Woolworths in June.  With over
65  million  people  visiting Comet stores every year,  the  aim  is  to  make
Internet access truly accessible and affordable for the entire UK population.

Star  of Channel 4's dot.comedy, Gail Porter, supported the liberation of  the
net - ' I believe that the Internet is an open door to an on-line world.  This
will  bring  a new concept to the web, liberating the consumer from additional
costs and allowing them to enjoy the many benefits of the Internet'.




1.   Research by Prescient - National poll of 1,000 consumers
  Please liaise with picture desks for images of Gail Porter and key Liberty
   Surf personnel - or download from www.imagewise.co.uk/archive/libertysurf

For further information please contact:
Biss Lancaster PLC
Romaine Flint Wood - 0207 539 2678/0956 420448 (mobile)
[e-mail]
Jane Forwood - 0207 539 2634/ 07970 658476 (mobile)
[e-mail]
Francesca Lewis - 0207 539 2652
[e-mail]
Switchboard - 0207 497 3001                  Fax: [phone]

Notes to editors:
Formed  in April 1999, LibertySurf is one of Europe's largest Internet service
providers  with  over 1.7 million accounts, and operates in  the  UK,  France,
Germany,  Spain,  Sweden,  Netherlands, Norway and  Denmark.  LibertySurf  was
formerly  known  in the UK as The X-Stream Network. The major shareholders  of
LibertySurf include Europ@web, a group created by Bernard Arnault, Chairman of
LVMH and Kingfisher plc, one of Europe's leading retail groups.

Liberty  Surf's  business plan is based on three fundamental principles:  high
quality  free internet access, an offer of attractive and varied  content,  as
well  as  the convergence of internet and telecoms.  It has been ambitious  in
establishing itself internationally, with the acquisitions of X-Stream  -  the
pioneer  of  free Internet in the UK - and the acquisition of  Hipavista  -  a
major  player in Spanish language internet  - enabling Liberty Surf to gain  a
strong presence in European Internet markets.
Liberty Surf was listed on the Paris Bourse (RM) on 16 March 2000


KINGFISHER
Kingfisher  plc is one Europe's leading retailers with a clear  focus  on  the
home and family. The company has operations in 15 countries, over 2,800 stores
and  employs  more than 125,000 people. The group owns some of  Europe's  best
know  retail  brands  including Castorama, B&Q, Darty, Comet,  Woolworths  and
Superdrug.  Kingfisher  is  Europe's leading DIY retailer  and  third  largest
electrical business and today achieves more than 40 per cent of sales  outside
the UK.