Trading Statement

Actif Group PLC 20 January 2005 Actif Group plc Trading update Christmas 2004 Trading Statement Actif Group plc announces that like for like sales in its retail business for the 5 weeks to 8th January 2005 were up by 6.0% on the previous year. This sales improvement was driven by an increase in Christmas gift products, a generally favourable reaction to the Autumn / Winter product offer and an earlier start to the Winter Sale. Cumulatively, like for like retail sales for the 23 weeks to 8th January 2005 were down 2.5% on the previous year. As reported in the 2004 Annual Report in October, the financial year got off to a poor start as we were up against very strong comparative sales figures in August, due to the exceptionally hot summer of 2003. Since then, retail sales have been on a recovering trend as the Autumn / Winter collections have been well received. Looking ahead however, the Board endorses the concerns that are being expressed elsewhere regarding the outlook for retail in 2005 and we remain cautious about the impact this could have on our retail sales and wholesale forward orders during the second half of our financial year. Mark Evans, Chief Executive, commented: 'The Christmas trading period has been encouraging for our retail business and it has helped to recover most of the shortfall we saw in this part of the Group during August. However, we remain cautious about prospects for the second half of our financial year given the uncertainty over the economic outlook for 2005.' Enquiries: Mark Evans, Chief Executive, Actif Group plc Tel: 0207 462 8810 Julian Ghinn, Finance Director, Actif Group plc Tel: 0207 462 8801 Jessica Rouleau, gcg hudson sandler Tel: 0207 796 4133 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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