NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA,

CANADA, JAPAN OR THE UNITED STATES

                                                                   12 June 2003

                Somerfield plc ("Somerfield" or the "Company")                 

 Response to announcements by J Sainsbury plc ("Sainsbury's") and Springwater  
                   Bidder ("Messrs Lovering and Mackenzie")                    

The Board of Somerfield notes the announcements made today by Sainsbury's and
Messrs Lovering and Mackenzie. The Board is pleased that Sainsbury's and Messrs
Lovering and Mackenzie have finally clarified their position and are not making
an offer for the issued share capital of Somerfield. The Board of Somerfield
had made it clear to Sainsbury's and Messrs Lovering and Mackenzie that their
proposals undervalued the Company substantially.

The Board of Somerfield also notes that Sainsbury's is filing a Merger Notice
with the Office of Fair Trading regarding clearance to acquire 171 stores from
Somerfield. Sainsbury's has not informed the Board of Somerfield which 171
stores are involved. The Board wishes to make clear that this is a unilateral
act by Sainsbury's and is being made without the support of the Board of
Somerfield.

In accordance with Rule 2.8 of the City Code, neither Sainsbury's nor Messrs
Lovering and Mackenzie may make or participate in an offer for Somerfield
during the next six months, other than in the event of a recommendation by the
Somerfield Board, or the announcement of a firm intention to make an offer for
the Company by a third party. Furthermore, Sainsbury's may not otherwise pursue
its interest in acquiring the Somerfield stores, save for the filing of the
Merger Notice.

Enquiries:

Cubitt Consulting:

Fergus Wylie 020 7367 5100

The Directors of Somerfield accept responsibility for the information contained
in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors
(who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the
information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and
does not contain anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Deutsche Bank are acting for Somerfield and
for no-one else in connection with the potential offer for Somerfield and will
not be responsible to anyone other than Somerfield for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein or Deutsche
Bank or for providing advice in relation to such potential offer.



END