Supermarket chain Somerfield showed the benefit of its turnaround strategy today after profits and sales both maintained their upward trend.

The group, which has so far refitted one-third of its Somerfield estate and 10% of Kwik Save stores, reported profits of £41.1 million for the year to April 24 - up on the £25.8 million achieved a year earlier.

The performance was achieved after like-for-like sales picked up by 1.1% - a figure that is now 2.7% in the first nine weeks of the new financial year.

Executive chairman John von Spreckelsen said the figures were proof that the Bristol-based company's strategy was working.

He said: "We have now proved that the investment we are making in modernising our stores attracts new customers and delivers substantial and sustainable sales growth."

Wednesday June 30, 2004