Retail group Shoprite Holdings announced in a statement on Thursday that turnover for the 12 months to July 2005 had increased twelve percent to R29.8-billion.

The group noted that the 12 months to July 3, 2005, comprised of 53 weeks and added that if the additional week of the current reporting period is disregarded, turnover growth was 9.5 percent.

Increased disposable income from the Shoprite brand's target market boosted total sales of the group's core business by 10.8 percent on the previous year.

The group further noted that the Checkers brand posted total turnover growth of 7.4 percent while total turnover growth in the furniture division was up 15.6 percent.

Shares fell 1.61 percent to 15.30 rand on the JSE on Thursday.

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