UK retail group Big Food Group has reported full-year results that beat expectations, helped by an improved second-half performance at its frozen food retailer Iceland.

The group posted pre-tax profit before exceptional items of £37.1m (US$60.9m), compared to £42.9m in the previous year. Analysts had forecast profit in the range of £28-35m.

Big Food Group said its Iceland chain of stores enjoyed an average growth in like-for-like sales of 14.1%, reported AFX.