German DIY e-Commerce Investment

Kingfisher PLC
9 February 2000

           Kingfisher plc announces German DIY e-commerce investment


Kingfisher plc, the European retail group, announces the purchase of a 22.5%
minority share in Virtueller Bau-Markt AG, the operator of heimwerker.de, the
leading German DIY e-commerce firm.

As Europe's largest DIY operator, Kingfisher is continuing to build its
presence in continental Europe by store expansion and new channels of
distribution to consumers.

The investment, through Kingfisher's DIY subsidiary Castorama, will fund a
significant marketing drive to further allow heimwerker.de to exploit its
number one position in the German market.  Virtueller Bau-Markt AG was formed
in October 1998 and has nominal net assets.

                                 

Notes to Editors :

*        Kingfisher expects to see sourcing and promotion opportunities across
         its DIY brands, particularly Castorama, B&Q and Screwfix.

*        Kingfisher's strategy is to invest in e-commerce opportunities       
         outside its current brand activities, where it sees opportunities for
         value and learning.

*        It is expected that Virtueller Bau-Markt AG will go to IPO within the
         next 18 months should targeted plans be achieved.

*        Kingfisher and Castorama will be represented on the Virtueller       
         Bau-Markt AG board.

*        Other shareholders in Virtueller Bau-Markt AG include Burda, one of
         Germany's leading media and publishing groups, and Peter Faisst, the 
         founder.


For further information

Kingfisher plc                                    + 44 (0) 171 724 7749

Web-site address                                  www.kingfisher.co.uk

Media Enquiries
Gwen Gober, Director of Corporate Affairs         + 44 (0) 20 7725 5714

Broker and Institutional Enquiries
Keith Williams, Director of Investor Relations    + 44 (0) 20 7725 5776

France
Gail Lavielle, Shandwick France                   + 33 (1) 44 90 53 53