Director Shareholding

Sainsbury(J) PLC
01 June 2005



1 June 2005


Computershare Trustees (C.I.) Limited, the Company's Employee Share Ownership
Trust, released 112,810 ordinary shares in J Sainsbury plc on 1 June 2005 to
Justin King, chief executive officer, to satisfy the first release of shares
under his restricted share plan. 78,394 shares have been retained to pay the
associated tax.

As disclosed in November 2003 these arrangements were made to compensate Justin
for losses arising from M&S share and bonus schemes in the form of an award of
restricted shares.  A second award of 70,746 shares will be released to him on 1
June 2006 subject to the terms of the plan and deductions for associated tax.


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



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