Strong Market Share Gains
Sainsbury's achieved its highest H1 market share in five years, driven by a strong customer proposition and continued grocery volume growth ahead of the market.
Taste the Difference Growth
The Taste the Difference range achieved 18% growth in fresh sales over the first half, reflecting a strong customer perception of quality.
Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns
Total underlying operating profit increased by 7%, and Sainsbury's expects to return more than GBP 800 million to shareholders this year through dividends and buybacks.
Expansion and Innovation
Sainsbury's opened new stores and expanded its range with more than 600 new products for summer, contributing to strong seasonal performance.
Nectar Loyalty Program Success
Nectar continues to be a leading loyalty program, and the introduction of Nectar360 Pollen is expected to drive further growth and customer engagement.
Argos Performance Improvement
Argos delivered a good seasonal performance with market share gains and improved profitability, aided by a strong trading margin and reduced clearance activities.