Co-op’s first-half profit doubles as consumers shop locally

// The Co-op profits rise thanks to “exceptional food and wholesale performances”
// The food retail business increased its sales by 5.2% to £3.9bn in the first half of its financial yearThe Co-op has seen profits rise amid the Covid-19 pandemic as customers increasingly shopped in stores.
The convenience retailer reported a sales rise of 7.6 per cent in its first half, thanks to “exceptional food and wholesale performances”.
The group’s underlying operating p