Director Shareholding

Sainsbury(J) PLC
29 March 2004


29 March 2004

Share awards - Justin King

Upon the announcement of the appointment of Justin King as the new Group Chief
Executive of J Sainsbury plc, is was indicated that he would be enrolled in the
Company's executive share schemes and would receive an award of restricted
shares to compensate him for his losses arising from Marks & Spencer's share and
bonus schemes.

As a result, on 27 March 2004 the following awards were granted to him under the
Company's employee share plans.

An award of 261,950 shares was made under the restricted shares plan in the form
of conditional restricted shares, of which 191,204 will be released on 1 June
2005 and 70,746 shares will be released on 1 June 2006 provided that, in each
case, he remains an employee of the company on the relevant date.

A grant of options was made under the Company's Executive Share Option Plan
subject to the conditions (including performance conditions) currently
applicable to the Plan.

  Number of
Shares under         Option           Grant      Date of First       Lapse
   Option            Price            Date         Exercise           Date

   516,252           261.5p         27/3/2004      27/3/2007        27/3/2014

Enquiries:

Investor relations                                  Media
Lynda Ashton                                        Pip Wood
[phone]                                [phone]


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