UK supermarket group Sainsbury’s reported first-half sales excluding fuel up 2.6% to GBP13.95 billion, with grocery revenue rising 2.9% and underlying operating profit increasing 3.6% to GBP525 million. Q2 LFL sales growth slowed to 1.2% from 2.3% in Q1. Following its planned Argos disposal, the retailer raised its full-year continuing operating profit forecast to between GBP1.02 billion and GBP1.06 billion. (Sainsbury’s)