May 22 Reuters Britain39;s Mitchells Butlers said on Wednesday it expected its annual results to be at the top end of consensus expectations, after the pub group posted higher firsthalf profit as cost pressures eased and sales picked up.

Resilient demand has helped British pub groups during an uncertain economic environment even as high inflation curbs consumer spending.

The company said likeforlike sales have grown by 5.3 over the most recent four weeks and momentum for further progress is going forward into fiscal 2025.

The owner of Toby Carvery, Harvester and All Bar One brands reported adjusted operating profit of 164 million pounds 209.05 million for the half year ended April 13, compared with a profit of 100 million pounds a year ago.

Overall cost inflation, which had slowed the recovery pace for pubs in the country after the pandemic, had abated further, the company added.

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Reporting by Echha Jain and Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich

Source Reuters