Somerfield posted like-for-like sales growth of 5.4% in the six months to 8 November 2008, the retailer said today.
Year-on-year sales growth was 2.5% to 28 April, while the previous year sales dipped 2.4%, Somerfield, which is to be bought by the Co-operative (Co-op) group, said.
Chief executive Paul Mason said: “Somerfield continues to benefit from the strong execution of our turnaround strategy.
“Our clear focus on giving our customers what they want has delivered industry beating like-for-like sales growth for the first half of this financial year.”
He added: “This transformation of Somerfield places us in the best possible position to benefit from the strong strategic fit and shared vision that the acquisition by the Co-op offers.”
In the last financial year, the company said it rebranded the entire Somerfield estate and invested £65m in store refits.
The Co-op has found up-front buyers for 24 stores after the Office of Fair Trading said it was concerned there would be a lack of competition following the acquisition.
