Hypemarket operator Auchan has reported that sales grew 6.8% for the first half of 2010 to €20bn (£16.69bn), of which 54% was generated by its international operations. Group like-for-like revenue at constant exchange rates and excluding petrol sales increased 1%.

Net profit from continuing operations came to €248m (£207m), up by 60% compared with the same period in 2009.

In France, the hypermarket division posted sales increases of 2.2% while supermarkets improved 4.4%. The latter represents a turnaround after a couple of difficult years for the Simply Market banner following its conversion from Atac.