Financial summary
£13bn
Group turnover
2007: £12.5bn +6%
on 52 week basis
14.4p
Underlying earnings per share
2007: 8.3p +73%
+4.6%
Like-for-like sales
(ex-fuel)
2007: +5.2%
£543m
Net debt
2007: £772m -30%
£612m
Profit before tax
2007: £369m +66%
4.8p
Total dividend
2007: 4.0p +20%
Operating review
- range expanded and revitalised,
- store refresh programme on track to complete by July 2008,
- significant increase in customer numbers in the final quarter,
- eight new stores opened,
- grocery distribution facility opened in Swindon.
Balance sheet strategy
- progressive dividend growth,
- surplus capital of £1bn to be returned shareholders.