Countdown supermarket chain grabs more market share in first half

Countdown supermarket chain grabs more market share in first half
By Suze Metherell Feb. 28 (BusinessDesk) – Australian-owned New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown boosted first-half earnings as it nabbed market share and customer numbers in what it says is a subdued environment. Countdown’s earnings before interest and tax rose 1.3 percent to $164.4 million in the 27 weeks ended Jan. 5 with sales up 2.6 percent to $3.02 billion, its ASX-listed owner, Woolworths, said in a statement. In Australian dollar terms, earnings before interest and tax rose 9.7 percent to A$136.8 million and sales were up 15 perc...