FORM 6-K
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Special Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
For the date of August 7, 2003
SIGNET GROUP plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Zenith House
The Hyde
London NW9 6EW
England
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Embargoed until 12.00 Noon (BST)
Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG, Nasdaq NMS: SIGY)
7 August 2003
Signet Like For Like Sales Up 3.4% in Second Quarter
Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG and Nasdaq NMS: SIGY), the world's largest speciality retail jeweller, today announced its second quarter
sales performance for the 13 week period from 4 May 2003 to 2 August 2003.
13 WEEKS TO 2 AUGUST 2003
Total Group sales in the second quarter were £324.4 million (13 weeks to 3 August 2002: £328.1 million), an increase of 5.2% at
constant exchange rates. At actual exchange rates there was a decrease of 1.1%, reflecting the weakening of the US dollar. Group
like for like sales increased by 3.4%. The breakdown was as follows:
Sales Change on Previous Year
£ million % of Total Total Like for Like
US 224.6 69.2 -3.1% (a) 3.1%
UK 99.8 30.8 3.7% 3.8% (b)
GROUP 324.4 100.0 -1.1% (c) 3.4%
(a) At constant exchange rates US total sales increased by 5.8%.
Sales Change on Previous Year
£ million % of Total Total Like for Like
US 474.8 71.2 -4.9% (d) 2.1%
UK 192.5 28.8 4.8% 4.5% (e)
GROUP 667.3 100.0 -2.3% (f) 2.8%
(d) At constant exchange rates US total sales increased by 4.9%.Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive, commented, "Group like for like sales showed further growth in the second quarter with an increase of 3.4%.
In the US, while trading conditions remained somewhat uncertain, like for like sales in the second quarter rose by 3.1% compared to 1.1% in the first quarter.
The UK division, which continued to face strong comparatives, increased like for like sales in the quarter by 3.8%, a performance ahead of the general retail sector."
Enquiries: Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive +44 (0) 20 7399 9520
Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director +44 (0) 20 7399 9520
Tim Grey, Brunswick +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
Signet operated 1,675 speciality retail jewellery stores at 2 August 2003; these included 1,073 stores in the US, where the Group trades as "Kay Jewelers", "Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry" and under a number of regional names. At that date Signet operated 602 stores in the UK, where the Group trades as "H.Samuel", "Ernest Jones" and "Leslie Davis". Further information on Signet is available at www.signetgroupplc.com.
The Interim Results for the 26 weeks ended 2 August 2003 are expected to be announced on Wednesday 3 September 2003. On that date there will be an analysts' meeting at 2.00 p.m. (BST) and 9.00 a.m. (EDT). For all interested parties there will be a simultaneous audio webcast available on the Signet Group web site (www.signetgroupplc.com) and a live telephone conference call. The details for the conference call are:
European dial-in: +44 (0) 20 7984 7582 Password: "Signet"
European 48 hr. replay: +44 (0) 20 7784 1024 Access code: 414115
US dial-in: +1 719 457 2629 Password: "Signet"
US 48 hr. replay: +1 719 457 0820 Access code: 414115
A video webcast of the presentation is expected to be available from close of business 3 September 2003 at www.signetgroupplc.com and
on the RAW broadband network.
This release includes certain forward-looking information that is based upon management's beliefs as well as on assumptions made by
and data currently available to management. This information, which has been, or in the future may be, included in reliance on the
"safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to the factors identified in the Company's filings with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its 2002/03 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on April 24, 2003. Actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any
projected results expressed or implied therein may not be realised. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNET
GROUP plc
By: /s/
Walker Boyd
Name: Walker
Boyd
Title:
Group Finance Director
Date: August 7, 2003