UK: Safeway sales are up ahead of first half profits announcement

Safeway, the UK supermarket operator, reported strong trading conditions in the second quarter. Sales grew by some 5.1% in Q2 (the 16 weeks to 14 October). "This growth, together with the increase achieved in the first quarter, will enable us to report a good first half profit advance," the company said in a statement. Crucially, Safeway is enjoying some success in the market after abolishing its ABC loyalty card scheme earlier this year, in favour of concentrating on price reductions. However, market analysts report that the company will find it harder to make further progress.