Casino store

French retailer Casino has outperformed forecasts with an increase of 12 per cent in operating profit for the first half of the year.

The group was able to stick to its financial goals for 2010, thanks to the strength of emerging markets like Brazil, which have succeeded in offsetting domestic weaknesses.

Operating profit reportedly rose to €541m, despite a decline of 5.5 per cent in the French market.

Casino revealed that consolidated net sales increased by 8.5 per cent in the second quarter to €6.98bn, with international sales soaring by 23.6 per cent.