Somerfield has posted a strong full-year performance as it moves into the final stage of its £1.57 billion sale to Co-operative Group.

The grocer revealed a 5.4 per cent increase in EBITDA to£226 million for the year ending April 26. Like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, climbed 2.5 per cent – a big turnaround on the previous year, when they fell 2.4 per cent.

Somerfield, which is expected to conclude its deal with Co-op by February next year, also reported strong current trade. For the first half of its 2009 financial year, ending November 8, it notched up like-for-like sales growth, excluding fuel, of 5.4 per cent.

“We’re very pleased with our performance, considering that the like-for-like sales average for the industry is 4.9 per cent,” said Somerfield chief executive Paul Mason. “It is testament to the work we have done turning around the business and we are confident for Christmas.”

Somerfield has also cut its debt by 13 per cent to£770 million. Mason said trading would be much tougher in the new near and the grocer would ramp up its promotional activity.

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