Trading Update

GREAT UNIVERSAL STORES PLC
4 October 1999

                                                                              
                      THE GREAT UNIVERSAL STORES P.L.C.                       
                           SIX MONTHS SALES UPDATE                            


Great  Universal  Stores  P.L.C. today issues an update  on  trading  in  its 
UK catalogue retailing business for the six month period to 30 September 1999.
                                                                              
The agency home shopping market in the UK continued to be difficult during the
six  month  period just ended, particularly for apparel.  Sales  for  the  six
months ended 30 September 1999 for the UK Home Shopping division were 7% below
those of the comparable period last year.                                     
                                                                              
Argos  sales  for  the six month period were 1% down compared  with  the  same
period last year.  Like for like sales were 3% down.  Following the launch  of
the  new single catalogue in August, performance in September has improved and
like for like sales were ahead of those in September 1998.   Argos' margins in
the six month period were firm.                                               
                                                                              
Other divisions within the Group have continued to trade broadly in line  with
expectations.                                                                 
                                                                              
Separately, GUS notes the speculation in the week-end press concerning a  
potential demerger of Experian, its information services division.  GUS has no
current plans to demerge or float Experian.  However, the Board of GUS     
regularly examines various options to maximise shareholder value.  Given the  
right circumstances, it is therefore possible that Experian maybe demerged or 
floated when it has developed a suitable track record following the last major
acquisition it completed in April 1998.                                       
                                                                              
                                                                              
The interim results statement will be made on 2 December.                     
                 
                                                                              
Enquiries:

The Great Universal Stores P.L.C.
David Tyler, Finance Director                     0171 495 0070


Finsbury
Rupert Younger                                    0171 251 3801
Tim Grey