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South African food and clothing retailer Woolworths has revealed that preliminary group sales increased by 9.8 per cent for the first half of 2010/11, taking in the 26-week period to 26 December 2010.

According to the group, this compared favourably with overall sector growth of 5.9 per cent through the same six-month period, Planet Retail reported.

Meanwhile, the group has moved to appoint former Marks & Spencer chairman and chief executive Sir Stuart Rose as a non-executive director.

Retail Week said that Woolworths had welcomed Mr Rose's strong international retail experience.