Sainsbury reports brisk sales as Argos takeover bears fruit

London

EARLY summer barbecues and higher prices proved a potent combination for UK supermarket chain J Sainsbury Plc in the first quarter of its financial year.

As sweltering temperatures lifted demand for everything from burgers to paddling pools, like-for-like retail sales rose 2.3 per cent, London-based Sainsbury said on Tuesday. That compared with the average estimate of nine analysts for a 1.9 per cent increase.