TRUWORTHS ON TRACK FOR INCREASED EARNINGS

JANUARY 10, 2001

TRUWORTHS ON TRACK FOR INCREASED EARNINGS AFTER SOLID FESTIVE SEASON SALES
TRUWORTHS INTERNATIONAL LTD WAS ON TRACK TO REPORT INCREASED EARNINGS FOR THE
SIX MONTHS TO DECEMBER 2000 AFTER FESTIVE SEASON TRADING THAT WAS AHEAD OF
EXPECTATIONS HELPED BOOST SALES FOR THE PERIOD, MICHAEL MARK, THE EXECUTIVE
CHAIRMAN, SAID TODAY.

HE SAID SALES IN THE CORE TRUWORTHS BUSINESS INCREASED BY 12% OVER THE SIX
MONTHS RELATIVE TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 1999.

"FESTIVE SEASON SALES, PARTICULARLY IN THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS. WE HAD ANTICIPATED SALES GROWTH OF ABOUT 10% IN THE FIVE
MONTHS TO END NOVEMBER AND THE DECEMBER TRADING PROVIDED A WELCOME LIFT."
MARK SAID THE COMPANY'S GROWTH STRATEGIES - OF ADDITIONAL STORES, FRANCHISE
EXPANSION, FORMAT DEVELOPMENT, NEW INITIATIVES AND COST CONTAINMENT - WERE
PROGRESSING ACCORDING TO PLAN. THE BUSINESS REMAINED FOCUSED AND CONTINUED TO
IMPROVE.

TRUWORTHS INTERNATIONAL REPORTED INTERIM EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD TO DECEMBER 1999 OF 19,2C A SHARE. RETAIL SALES AT TRUWORTHS FOR
THAT PERIOD WERE R728,2 MILLION, WITH THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS OPERATING IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST CONTRIBUTING A FURTHER R6,5 MILLION.
TRUWORTHS INTERNATIONAL'S INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD TO DECEMBER 2000 WILL
BE ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 15.
- ENDS -
ISSUED FOR TRUWORTHS INTERNATIONAL
BY DE KOCK & KERKHOFF COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
INQUIRIES MICHAEL MARK/KATHY OLSEN 021-460-7910
          WAYNE VAN DER MERWE 021-460-7955
          MIKE KERKHOFF 021-424-5280