Financial and operational highlights

* Strong performance across the Group, driven by continued investment
* Balance sheet strong and cash position well managed
* Somerfield and Britannia integration processes on track and progressing well
* Root-and-branch overhaul of the business continues with ongoing investment in the brand and transformation of the entire estate
* Food business delivers strong result in tough market conditions

o Sales up 11.5% to £3.9bn
o Underlying trading profit up 12.6% to £169.7m
o Total like-for-like sales down 1%, impacted by disruption of Somerfield integration
o Like-for-like food sales in rebranded and refitted stores up 2.5%
o 2,500 food stores converted to new brand including over 50% of Somerfield stores
o Fairtrade made available to millions more shoppers at Somerfield as part of the range integration programme
o 1 billion less carrier bags given away in stores over past three years

* Financial services business produces strong result

o CFS Operating profit up 34% to £109.3m (£81.4m)
o CFS total deposits up by £1.4bn
o New general insurance policies up 32%
o Like-for-like mortgage applications up 31%
o Total impairments down 41%
o Customer funding ratio strengthened further to 110%
o Core products aligned across Co-operative and Britannia channels

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases