Shares in the J Sainsbury's supermarket group surged 26p to a new high on better-than-expected interim profits, up 6.2 per cent at £411 million on sales up 9.1 per cent at £8.2 billion.

The results indicate renewed growth momentum after the past two years of lacklustre performance. The group's first store in the North was opened in Ballymena last December followed by the Forestside, Newtownbreda, store in March. The third store is to open in Coleraine on December 3rd.

Although Sainsbury's is beginning to regain ground with market share inching ahead to 12.7 per cent, Tesco still holds a commanding 15 per cent share.