RNS Number:4143O
Signet Group PLC
07 August 2003


Embargoed until 12.00 Noon (BST)
Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG, Nasdaq NMS: SIGY)

                                                                   7 August 2003

             Signet Like For Like Sales Up 3.4% in Second Quarter

Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG and Nasdaq NMS: SIGY), the world's largest speciality
retail jeweller, today announced its second quarter sales performance for the 13
week period from 4 May 2003 to 2 August 2003.

13 WEEKS TO 2 AUGUST 2003

Total Group sales in the second quarter were #324.4 million (13 weeks to 3
August 2002: #328.1 million), an increase of 5.2% at constant exchange rates.
At actual exchange rates there was a decrease of 1.1%, reflecting the weakening
of the US dollar.  Group like for like sales increased by 3.4%. The breakdown
was as follows:

                  Sales                                Change on Previous Year
        # million       % of Total     Total               Like for Like

US          224.6             69.2     -3.1% (a)                3.1%
UK           99.8             30.8      3.7%                    3.8% (b)
GROUP       324.4            100.0     -1.1% (c)                3.4%
     
(a)  At constant exchange rates US total sales increased by 5.8%.
(b)  H.Samuel like for like sales were up by 2.4% and Ernest Jones by 5.6%.
(c)  At constant exchange rates total Group sales increased by 5.2%.

26 WEEKS TO 2 AUGUST 2003

Total Group sales in the 26 weeks were #667.3 million, an increase of 4.9% at
constant exchange rates (down 2.3% at actual exchange rates).  Group like for
like sales increased by 2.8%.   The breakdown is shown below:

                  Sales                                Change on Previous Year
        # million       % of Total     Total               Like for Like

US          474.8             71.2     -4.9% (d)                2.1%
UK          192.5             28.8      4.8%                    4.5% (e)
GROUP       667.3            100.0     -2.3% (f)                2.8%
     
(d)  At constant exchange rates US total sales increased by 4.9%.
(e)  H.Samuel like for like sales were up by 3.4% and Ernest Jones by 6.1%.
(f)  At constant exchange rates total Group sales increased by 4.9%.

Comment

Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive, commented, "Group like for like sales
showed further growth in the second quarter with an increase of 3.4%.

In the US, while trading conditions remained somewhat uncertain, like for like
sales in the second quarter rose by 3.1% compared to 1.1% in the first quarter.

The UK division, which continued to face strong comparatives, increased like for
like sales in the quarter by 3.8%, a performance ahead of the general retail
sector."

Enquiries:   Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive           +44 (0) 20 7399 9520
             Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director           +44 (0) 20 7399 9520
                                                   
             Tim Grey, Brunswick                           +44 (0) 20 7404 5959


Signet operated 1,675 speciality retail jewellery stores at 2 August 2003; these
included 1,073 stores in the US, where the Group trades as "Kay Jewelers", "
Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry" and under a number of regional names.  At that
date Signet operated 602 stores in the UK, where the Group trades as "H.Samuel",
"Ernest Jones" and "Leslie Davis".  Further information on Signet is available
at www.signetgroupplc.com.

The Interim Results for the 26 weeks ended 2 August 2003 are expected to be
announced on Wednesday 3 September 2003.  On that date there will be an
analysts' meeting at 2.00 p.m. (BST) and 9.00 a.m. (EDT).  For all interested
parties there will be a simultaneous audio webcast available on the Signet Group
web site (www.signetgroupplc.com) and a live telephone conference call.  The
details for the conference call are:


European dial-in:           +44 (0) 20 7984 7582         Password: "Signet"
European 48 hr. replay:     +44 (0) 20 7784 1024         Access code: 414115

US dial-in:                 +1 719 457 2629              Password: "Signet"
US 48 hr. replay:           +1 719 457 0820              Access code: 414115

A video webcast of the presentation is expected to be available from close of
business 3 September 2003 at www.signetgroupplc.com and on the RAW broadband
network.



This release includes certain forward-looking information that is based upon
management's beliefs as well as on assumptions made by and data currently
available to management.  This information, which has been, or in the future may
be, included in reliance on the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to the factors identified in the
Company's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including its
2002/03 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 24, 2003.
Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear
that any projected results expressed or implied therein may not be realised.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


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