Sharply higher sales and reduced operating losses are now being achieved at the 12 Safeway stores in Northern Ireland owned by Safeway Stores (Ireland), the joint venture between the Safeway group and Fitzwilton.

Turnover rose as much as 14 per cent to £84.3 million sterling (€133.5 million) at the Northern Ireland stores in the 28 weeks to October 16th, reports Safeway in its interim results. Operating losses fell to £3.1 million from £5 million.

"With our refurbishment programme now complete and with three new superstores at Cookstown and Omagh in Co Tyrone and Downpatrick, Co Down, we now have a strong position in Northern Ireland, with our 12 stores achieving a market share of 14 per cent," says Safeway.