Convenience store chain Couche-Tard posted a 5.6% rise in revenues excluding fuel to $1.5bn (£961m) for the second quarter ended October 10. Like-for-like sales were up 4.9% in the US and 1.6% in Canada. Net earnings grew 19.7% to $105.6m (£68m). President and chief executive Alain Bouchard said: “The economic recovery is slow to pick up momentum, especially in the US, as demonstrated by the modest growth in like-for-like motor fuel volume we recorded in this market.”