WOOLWORTHS GROUP LIMITED — M&A Activity 2009

Nov 11, 2009

12 November 2009

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DANKS HOLDINGS LIMITED ABN 81 004 295 532

TAKEOVER OFFER DECLARED UNCONDITIONAL

Danks Holdings Limited welcomes the statement released by the ACCC yesterday regarding the takeover offer from Carboxy Pty Ltd (Carboxy) a joint venture between Woolworths Limited and Lowes Companies, Inc.

Danks is pleased to advise shareholders that Woolworths and Lowe’s have declared their offer for Danks Holdings Limited (“Danks”) free from all conditions.

As of today, Carboxy has received acceptances from Danks shareholders totaling 96.2% of the ordinary issued shares.

The offer will close on 19 November 2009 at 7:00pm Sydney time.

Those shareholders who have already accepted the offer or accept before the bid closes will be paid by 10[th] December 2009 (within 21 days of 19 November 2009).

Following the closure of the offer Carboxy will move to compulsory acquisition of the outstanding shares it does not own.

Danks Managing Director Mr Graeme Danks said Danks was pleased with the outcome. “Woolworths-Lowe’s confirmation that they intend to support and grow the Danks customer base of independent hardware retailers affirms their commitment to this segment of the industry,” he said.

“Independent hardware retailers will continue to be the lifeblood of Danks as we participate in the next exciting phase of development in the hardware industry.”

For further Information, please contact:

Graeme Danks Managing Director Telephone: 61 3 9264 5007 Facsimile: 61 3 9587 1719 Address: 414-426 Lower Dandenong Road Braeside Victoria 3195

Further information on Danks can be found on our internet site: www.danks.com.au

Danks provides the product and Retailer Services requirements for HoME Timber & Hardware, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Plants Plus Garden Centres and nearly one thousand other retailers, who are all independently owned and operated.