Sainsbury’s has said it expects to deliver “strong” profit growth over the year ahead after cheering surging food sales by reining in prices to help win customers from rivals. The supermarket giant reported a better-than-expected 1.6% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £701 million for the year to March 2. The UK’s second biggest grocery chain said total grocery sales increased 7.3% in the fourth quarter and 9.4% over the year, as it saw sales by volume pick up as inflation eased back. This helped offset a tough market for general merchandise, with fourth-quarter Argos sales down 6.6% and clothing tumbling 11.7%. The group said it was set for earnings to rise in 2024-25. “We are confident of delivering strong profit growth in the year ahead,” it said. “We expect to continue to grow grocery volumes ahead of the market, driving profit leverage.” Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said moves to focus on food and keep prices affordable were “winning us customers from all our key competitors”. He said: “We said we’d put food back at the heart of Sainsbury’s and that’s what we’ve done.” Mr Roberts added: “We know it’s still tough out there for so many households...