J Sainsbury, the third-biggest biggest supermarket chain in Britain, said today that net profits picked up in its first half despite increasingly difficult economic conditions.
The group said in a results statement that net profit in the 28 weeks to October 4 climbed by 5.6% to £170m sterling compared with the same time last year.
Sales increased by 7.6% to £10.76 billion and operating profit advanced 13.3% to £272m.
Sainsbury warned that trading conditions remained 'particularly challenging' for the rest of the year.
'While we expect the economic environment during the second half to remain particularly challenging, we are developing our offer to continue to meet the needs of customers and maintain our good progress,' said CEO Justin King.
