Casino store

Casino has reported on a quarter-on-quarter increase in first quarter sales of 18.8 per cent this week, driven by growth in emerging markets as well as acquisitions in Brazil and Thailand.

Consolidated net sales from continuing operations in France climbed 4.5 per cent, or 5.7 per cent organically, while international sales soared by 44.1 per cent, contributing to total sales of €7.8bn.

South America reported on fast 11.1 per cent organic growth despite 'unfavourable technical factors', while sales continued to gain momentum in Asia with 11.7 per cent organic growth.

The group said that it was confident in its ability to deliver sales growth of more than 10 per cent in each of the next three years, and confirmed its 2011 targets of strengthening market share in France, continuing profitable organic growth in international markets, and keeping up its asset-rotation strategy.