RNS Number:1384M
Merchant Retail Group PLC
10 June 2003
                                                                    10 June 2003

                           MERCHANT RETAIL GROUP PLC
        (The Specialist Perfumery Retailer and Department Stores Group)
                               Holding in Company

The Board of Merchant Retail Group plc announces that it was notified on 9 June
2003 that FMR Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Fidelity
International Limited (FIL) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, both being
non-beneficial holders is interested in 7,991,479 ordinary 10 pence shares of
the Company, which represents 7.31% of the Company's issued ordinary share
capital.

The number of ordinary 10p shares in issue is 109,284,127.


For further information please contact:

Philip Newton (Chief Executive)                         01494 894000
Brian Coleman-Smith / Amanda Sheehy                     020 7398 3300
(Beattie Financial)


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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