Chilean supermarket

Chile-based D&S has revealed that sales increased 8.9 per cent through the first half of the year, with comparable store sales also increasing by 8.2 per cent.

Despite stronger sales, the retailer – which is owned by US giant Wal-Mart – reported a fall in net profit of 18.9 per cent to US$44.4m, a result of new store investments, integration processes and additional training costs, according to D&S.

SG&A costs increased 15.2 per cent through the period due to costs related to expansion and the company's integration into Wal-Mart International.

Meanwhile, D&S reported that it had opened a total of 51 new Ekono limited assortment small food stores so far this year, along with 11 other formats including Lider and Super Bodega aCuenta.