Canadian grocery chain Loblaw has reported a rise in fourth-quarter earnings of 22%, boosted by higher same-store sales and 26 new store openings.

Loblaw, which owns the Provigo and Loblaws supermarket chains, reported earnings of C$265m (US$174m), compared with $217m in the year-ago period.

The company’s revenue rose 7.5% to $5.6bn, while same-store sales rose 5%.