Merger Update

27 May 2005 15:00

Office of Fair Trading27 May 2005 INVITATION TO COMMENT Anticipated acquisition by Pentland Group plc of The John David Group plc The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether arrangements are in progressor in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creationof a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act2002. Should it be found to be a relevant merger situation, the OFT willfurther consider whether the creation of that situation may be expected toresult in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets inthe United Kingdom for goods or services that warrants reference to theCompetition Commission for investigation and report. Affected Sector: Retail sale of clothing. Please send written representations about any competition or public interestissues to: Ms Alison Knight Office of Fair Trading Fleetbank House 2-6 Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX FAX: 020-7211-8916 to arrive by 10 June 2005. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange