ISRAEL

Grocery retailer Alon Holdings Blue Square has announced that its revenue dipped 0.3% to ILS3.59bn (£606m) in the six months ending 30 June, 2010.

Its supermarket segment recorded a 0.2% rise in revenue to ILS3.36bn (£567m) following the opening of 12 new stores. However, this was offset by a 2.1% decline in like-for-like sales.

An increase in the sale of private-label goods to 7.5% of total sales at its supermarkets and an improvement in supplier terms led to an increase in gross profit margin.