Halfords Group, the leading British retailer of cycling and leisure products, reports a 16 percent increase in sales of cycling products for the 26 weeks ended Sept. 26 due to the expansion of the new Cycle Republic store format and the recent acquisition of Boardman Bikes. On a same-store basis, bike retail sales rose by 21.3 percent in the first quarter, but the growth went down to 11.3 percent in the second quarter. Including automotive and other operations, total sales increased by 6.8 percent to £524.1 million (€665.62m-$827.24m) in the first half, with online retail sales rising by 13.7 percent. Operating profit before amortization (Ebitda) rose by 6.7 percent to £63.6 million (€80.77m-$100.39m), and pre-tax profit after extraordinary items went up by 11.2 percent to £49.6 million (€63.00m-$78.29m).

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