French supermarket group Casino has today announced a first-half increase in trading profit of 11.6 per cent, with a 3.8 per cent spike in overall group sales for the second quarter. Like-for-like group sales grew 7.5 per cent for the first half of 2012, with 18.2 per cent growth in its international operations.
Sales for the group’s domestic operation decreased slightly in the second quarter, down 0.7 per cent, while Casino supermarket sales were up 1.4 per cent in its domestic market, excluding petrol and calendar. Sales under the Suprettes banner fell 3.2 per cent.
Groupe Casino’s international subsidiaries showed a 13.1 per cent spike in sales in the second quarter. The company acknowledges the impact of its increased stake in Brazilian company, GPA, on this figure. Second-quarter sales growth was most robust in Vietnam, at 28.2 per cent while Latin America provided the biggest sales growth for the group in the first half of 2012, at 20.7 per cent.
Chairman and CEO of the group, Jean-Charles Naouri, said, “The increase in first half operating profitability once again proves the resiliency of its business model.” (26 Jul)
© 2012 ESM European Supermarket Magazine
