Sainsbury’s reports higher half-year revenue as grocery sales grow
The retailer recorded £16.2bn in revenue for the 28 weeks to 12 September, while quarterly like-for-like growth slowed.
J Sainsbury plc reported higher revenue and underlying operating profit for the first half of its financial year. Grocery sales rose, although quarterly like-for-like growth slowed, and its shares fell in early trading.
J Sainsbury plc reported that total revenue rose 4.1% to £16.2bn for the 28 weeks to 12 September, compared with the same period a year earlier.
Sales from continuing operations, excluding fuel, increased 2.6%. Grocery sales rose 2.9% to £13.2bn, while general merchandise sales fell 3.4%. The company reported underlying operating profit of £525m, up 3.6%.
Quarterly sales growth slowed
City A.M. reported that Sainsbury’s like-for-like sales growth slowed to 1.2% in the three months to September, from 2.3% in the previous quarter. Grocery sales growth eased to 2.2% from 3.5%, while general merchandise and clothing sales declined by 2.9%, compared with a 3.7% fall in the preceding quarter.
The company’s annual results announcement separately said its full-year grocery sales had increased by 5.2%, with volume growth and market-share gains through the year. That full-year figure covers a different reporting period from the half-year trading update.
Shares fell in early trading
City A.M. reported that Sainsbury’s shares fell by nearly 4% to 346p in early trading after the trading update. The article also reported that the chief executive, Simon Roberts, described volume growth during the period as “a bit subdued”.
Explore the background
Further reading
Selected background resources to explain the context and concepts behind this story.
Understand the corporate structure and regulatory standing of Argos Limited within the UK market.
ARGOS LIMITED filing history - Companies House - GOV.UK
This Companies House record provides the official legal profile and filing history for Argos, a key subsidiary mentioned in the article, allowing readers to verify its status and governance as a distinct entity.
Learn how grocery sales data is defined and measured in UK retail market analyses.
Anticipated merger between J Sainsbury PLC and Asda ...
This official CMA document includes a glossary and methodological notes on grocery sales data, helping readers understand the specific metrics and definitions used when evaluating supermarket performance.
Gain context on the competitive landscape of grocery retailing in the United Kingdom.
Working Paper C Grocery Retailing - Greater London Authority
This working paper from the Greater London Authority offers a structured analysis of grocery retailing, including market shares of major supermarkets, which provides essential background for understanding Sainsbury's position in the sector.
External links selected for their educational value. They are separate from the sources used to report this story.
Editorial transparency
Article integrity
These checks apply to the published version. Changes to its content or evidence require a fresh review.
Veracidad
Aprobado
Comprueba que la pieza tenga fuentes declaradas y verificadas, que el nivel de evidencia se presente correctamente y que el desarrollo sea suficiente para sostener sus afirmaciones.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
Ausencia de sesgo
Aprobado
Busca lenguaje emocional, descalificaciones, generalizaciones absolutas y una voz editorial impropia de una noticia. También comprueba atribuciones y pluralidad de fuentes cuando la materia es sensible.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
Ausencia de clickbait
Aprobado
Evalúa si el titular cuenta el hecho principal sin ocultarlo para provocar curiosidad, sin promesas exageradas y sin recursos tipográficos engañosos.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
Coherencia editorial
Aprobado
Contrasta titular, subtítulo, resumen y cuerpo para detectar contradicciones, cifras sin respaldo o un alcance mayor del que permite la información disponible.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
Plagio y originalidad
Aprobado
Compara la prosa con los extractos de las fuentes utilizadas y con hasta 250 publicaciones recientes de Mérito para detectar copia extensa o una reescritura demasiado cercana.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
Conflictos de interés
Aprobado
Analiza posibles relaciones entre la autoría, el medio y las fuentes, así como patrocinio, lenguaje promocional o dependencia exclusiva de comunicados de prensa.
100/100
Analizado 22/10/2026 10:24 · rules-v1
The score is a quality-control indicator, not a probability that something is true.
