Wal-Mart singled Asda out for praise as it reported $2.2bn (£1.2bn) profit for the first quarter to April 30 this week.

It said Asda had outperformed its supermarket rivals in the UK on food over the quarter, which started on February 1.

Wal-Mart reported Asda saw mid single digit growth in food sales compared to the first quarter of 2003, and said it grew market share 0.3% to 13.3%.

It said it had seen both traffic and ticket growth in its 265 stores, with high single digit growth overall.

Growth in general merchandise sales was in its mid-teens. The home entertainment area did best with sales of DVDs and DVD players particularly strong.

Wal-Mart told analysts Asda would open its third pilot standalone George store in Northampton later this month and a fourth in Preston in June.

Wal-Mart reported profit was $2.2bn (£1.2bn) in the first quarter, up from $1.8bn in the first quarter 2003. Quarterly turnover rose 14.2% to $64.8bn.

But Wal-Mart president and CEO Lee Scott said he feared higher energy prices would dent consumer spending later this year.

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