Massmart’s sales for the six months ended June 25, grew by 0.5% year-on-year to R42.5-billion.
Comparable store sales decreased by 1.6% and product inflation was estimated at 3.2%.
At group level, sales growth in food was 3%, while growth in nonfood items such as general merchandise, home improvement and cellular, contracted by 2.9%, the company said in a statement on Monday.
Total and comparable sales growths from its South African stores were 1.7% and -0.2% respectively.
Total and comparable sales growth from its African stores, excluding South African stores, measured in the local African currencies were positive, while in rand terms, sales contracted by 11.9% and 14.1% respectively.
Massmart’s interim financial results will be released on August 24.