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Like-for-like sales for the convenience store chain were up 5.2% in the three months.

The group recently re-launched the entire Spar own-brand range and added 250 new lines which has resulted in a boost in own-label sales.

Spar UK managing director Jerry Marwood said: ‘The latest statistics demonstrate the inherent strength of the convenience market and confirm that within that Spar has developed a robust programme. The past few months have provided us with a good opportunity to reiterate our strong value message,' he said.

In the first three months the group opened 40 stores and introduced a more diverse and bigger footprint store format called EUROSPAR. The format is the result of acquiring Somerfield and Woolworths stores, allowing Spar to open larger stores in local communities.