Trading Statement

Electrocomponents PLC
16 July 2004

                                            Embargoed to 12.00 noon 16 July 2004



ELECTROCOMPONENTS PLC

Electrocomponents plc, the major international high service distributor of
electronic, electrical, industrial and commercial supplies, has today given a
trading update at its Annual General Meeting.

Trading Update

We announced our results for the year ended 31 March 2004 on 26 May 2004 and
provided a review of current trading as part of that announcement.

Since the year end, our overall sales have continued to grow at about 5% on a
like for like basis against the same period last year. Growth in our geographic
regions has also been similar to the rates achieved at the year end.

Gross margin, costs and cash flow to date have been in line with our
expectations.

Though economic indicators remain positive across our major markets, we continue
to believe that a cautionary view is appropriate.


Contacts:

Ian Mason              Chief Executive                         01865 204000
Jeff Hewitt            Deputy Chairman / Finance Director      01865 204000
Diana Soltmann         Flagship Consulting Ltd                 0207 886 8440
Andy Berry             Flagship Consulting Ltd                 0207 886 8440


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