The Sainsbury (J) Board has recommended an increased interim dividend of 4.1 pence per share (HY 2024/25: 3.9 pence). Consistent with prior years, this represents 30 per cent of the prior year's full year dividend per share. This will be paid on 19 December 2025 to shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of business on 14 November 2025.
Other financial highlights include:
Sainsbury's sales (excluding fuel) up 5.2%, with Grocery sales growth of 5.3% and Sainsbury's General Merchandise & Clothing sales up 3.3%. Argos sales up 2.3%, Fuel sales down 11.3%
Retail underlying operating profit £504m, ahead of their expectations and in line with last year, with strong trading and cost savings delivery enabling focused investments in value, customer service and quality and offsetting higher employment and regulatory costs and disruption from space reallocation activity
Statutory profit after tax £165m (HY 2024/25: £76m). Non-underlying items of £(72)m on a post-tax basis predominantly relate to Retail restructuring costs and the phased withdrawal from Financial Services
Retail free cash flow £310m. On track to exceed £500m for the full year
Bank disposal proceeds will now exceed £400m, higher than originally expected. £400m will be returned to shareholders via a £250m special dividend and £150m incremental share buyback. Of the £150m, £50m will be added to the previously announced £200m buyback in financial year 2025/26 and the remaining £100m will be added to the core buyback in financial year 2026/27
Total cash returns to shareholders in financial year 2025/26 now expected to exceed £800m
