AGM Statement

10 May 2006 07:00

French Connection Group PLC10 May 2006 AGM statement 10th May 2006 At the Company's Annual General Meeting today Stephen Marks, Chairman and ChiefExecutive, will make the following statement: "In line with other fashion retailers we found that trading over the Easterperiod was difficult and did not meet our expectations. In our UK/Europe retailbusiness we have seen a decline in like-for-like sales of 2% since the beginningof the new financial year." "In our wholesale business in UK/Europe, in-season orders for our Summer 2006ranges from our wholesale customers have been subdued. Our forward order bookfor the Winter 2006 ranges is 12% below the level achieved last year." "In our North America business, sales in the wholesale channel have continued togrow, however retail sales for the season to date have been disappointing." "There is little indication at the moment that the market conditions or ourtrading performance will change, and while the Board continues to focus ondriving improvements in each of our businesses, and we are only a short way intothe year, we are materially reducing our expectations for the full yearresults." Enquiries: Neil Williams/Roy Naismith French Connection +44(0)20 7036 7206Tom Buchanan/Lucie Anne Brailsford Brunswick +44(0)20 7404 5959 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange