The Co-operative group, the UK's biggest convenience store operator, outperformed rival grocers with a 6.9 per cent increase in turnover, reported The Times.

The increase was three per cent above the average in the food sector, with profits for the group up 18 per cent from £270 million to £320m.

The group's share of the food sector increased by 0.1 per cent to 5.8 per cent last year. A spokesman said the results reflected a much closer focus on performance.