Tesco surges ahead

Britain's largest supermarket group has reported a growth in its share of the British non-food market from 6% to 6.5%. Clothing sales increased by 39% in the first half.

Tesco's clothing brands Cherokee and Florence and Fred continued to expand in the UK in terms of size and monetary value. Total sales for the company rose to £16.5 billion, an increase of 12.2%. In the UK sales for the non-food division rose by 17%. In the first half, Tesco opened 34 stores outside the UK and plans on adding another 65 to its overseas operations in the second half.