Tesco reports profits jump

Supermarket giant Tesco unveiled a 12.5% rise in half-year profits to £1.6bn (€1.84bn) today.

There are no separate figures available for Ireland at this time.

The result came despite "modest" UK sales growth in the 26 weeks to August 28, constrained by higher fuel costs as customers spent more at the pump instead of in-store and due to low food inflation.

Delivering his last set of results, outgoing chief executive Terry Leahy said the retailer was experiencing "the tailwinds of recovery".

Tesco opened new stores in Dublin, Bray and Kinnegad recently.