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The Co-op fell to a half-year loss as it warned of pressure on its full-year profits from the supply chain crisis.

The Manchester-headquartered group reported underlying pre-tax operating losses of £15m for the six months to July 3, 2021, compared with profits of £56m a year ago.

The company said it was hit by product availability issues and the continuing impact of the pandemic, the PA news agency reported.

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It also warned that the "unplanned supply chain challenges and ongoing Covid costs will bring greater levels of uncertainty".
"This will in turn apply pressure on our prior expected level of profitability for year end," it said.

Food sales at the supermarket arm, excluding fuel, fell 2.8% in the first half against surging trading a year earlier during the pandemic.

Chief executive Steve Murrells said: "As we continue to experience the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, it is clear that things will never be the same again.

"As a business and as a society, it is crucial that we learn from the last 18 months, particularly as we turn to the momentous task of rebuilding Britain and face into the continuing disruption to our business and our supply chains."