South African retailer Shoprite has recorded a 9.5% increase in first-half sales.

For six months to 31 December, sales reached ZAR36.3bn. Like-for-like sales were up 2.8%.

In its supermarket business, sales were up 8.4% and grew 3.2% on a like-for-like basis.

Shoprite said it was hit by unfavourable currency swings in its other African operations, with sales increasing in South African rands by 3%, and on a like-for-like basis by around 1%. However, the retailer said, taken at constant currencies, turnover outside its domestic market grew by 13.5%.

Click here for the company’s full earnings statement.