RNS Number:2718N
Signet Group PLC
08 July 2003

EMBARGOED UNTIL 12.00 Noon (BST)
8 JULY 2003

                          CHAIRMAN'S AGM STATEMENT

Extracts from Mr. James McAdam's opening remarks to be made at today's Annual
General Meeting for Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG and Nasdaq NMS: SIGY):

"We announced the first quarter results on 5 June.  Group like for like sales
rose by 2.2% and profit before tax increased slightly to #24.1 million after
allowing for the effect of the US dollar weakening from $1.43/# in the first
quarter of last year to $1.59/# in the first quarter of this year.  On a
constant exchange rate basis profit before tax increased by 11.6%.

Against the backdrop of very challenging trading conditions the US business
increased like for like sales by 1.1%, again outperforming its main competition
and gaining further market share.  The quarter was marked by strong trading
during the Valentine's Day period in February, although a weaker trend was
evident in March and April.

The UK division performed well during the first quarter and in spite of being up
against strong comparatives increased like for like sales by 5.4%.  A drive to
increase participation of diamonds in the sales mix showed further success.

In the first two months of the second quarter, US sales have demonstrated an
improving trend and UK trading has continued at a satisfactory level."

It will also be announced at the meeting that Lee Abraham will retire as a
non-executive director when the Christmas Trading Statement is released in early
January 2004.

Signet operated 1,671 speciality retail jewellery stores at 3 May 2003; these
include 1,065 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 606 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.

Enquiries:     Signet Group plc
               Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive          +44 (0) 20 7399 9520
               Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director          +44 (0) 20 7399 9520

               Brunswick
               Mike Smith                                   +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
               Tim Grey                                     +44 (0) 20 7404 5959

The second quarter sales performance for the 13 weeks ending 2 August 2003 is
expected to be announced on Thursday 7 August 2003.

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 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 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.




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