In the seventeen weeks to July 28th, sales at Halfords stores increased by 9.5 per cent. Lke-for-like sales were up by 6.6 per cent and underlying like-for-like sales, which excludes Easter, increased by 4.5 per cent.

“The level of dilution of gross profit percentage has continued to reduce significantly since the last financial year,” said a statement from the car parts to bikes chain.

Halfords has 10,000 employees.