Appointment

Sainsbury(J) PLC
13 December 2001

            New Board Directors for J Sainsbury plc


J Sainsbury plc announced today that Stuart Mitchell and Sara Weller will be
appointed to the Group Board of the company as executive directors  on 1st
January 2002.   Both were appointed assistant managing directors of
Sainsbury's Supermarkets in July 2001; Stuart for trading, retail and supply
chain; Sara for strategic planning, marketing, formats, Sainsbury's to You and
Sainsbury's Bank.


Stuart Mitchell (40) joined Sainsbury's in 1984 as a graduate trainee buyer.
He has extensive experience in all aspects of the supermarket business,
including three years in retail, and has managed both the meat and produce
trading offices.   He has worked for Shaw's, Sainsbury's US supermarket
business, and has held four senior roles within Sainsbury's UK business - in
procurement, primary agriculture, non foods and strategy.


Sara Weller (40) joined Sainsbury's in 1999 as marketing director for
Sainsbury's Supermarkets.   She came from Abbey National where she was retail
marketing director for three years.   Previously she worked for Mars
Confectionery for 13 years having joined as a graduate trainee.   She worked
in a wide range of roles in sales, personnel management and marketing.  Her
last role was European Franchise manager.


Sir Peter Davis, Group Chief Executive said 'Stuart's wealth of retail and
trading experience and Sara's range and depth of management skills and
experience, gained through working in various businesses, bring real value to
our Board.   Both have made significant contributions to our business in their
senior roles and I'm delighted with their promotions to executive directors'.


For enquiries


Media contact: Jan Shawe 020 7695 6469

Investor relations: Jennifer van der Eem 020 7695 4614