Bargain-buying hits Kerry group sales, but profits up

Bargain-buying by consumers hit sales at the Kerry group for the first half of the year, but the company's higher profit margins in the period mean its overall profits were up by 5.2% to €136.8m.

Pre-prepared sandwiches and 'food-to-go' products were hit by the downturn in Ireland, with that sector seeing a 20% slump in activity.