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Supermarket chain J Sainsbury has announced a 6.6 per cent rise in total fourth-quarter sales, ahead of expectations.

In a trading statement, the UK's third-largest grocer said that total sales excluding fuel were 7.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to March 24th, while like-for-like sales were up 4.9 per cent, or 5.9 per cent excluding fuel.

The retailer said the results showed it had completed the second year of its three-year recovery plan with "strong momentum".

News of increased sales comes as Sainsbury is currently being viewed as a potential takeover target, with a consortium of private equity firms having announced last month that it was considering making a bid for the supermarket group.

In a conference call, Sainsbury chief executive Justin King refused to comment on the possible offer from the consortium, which includes CVC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Blackstone and Texas Pacific and which has been given a deadline of April 13th by regulators to either make a firm bid or withdraw its plans.

But in the company's trading statement, Mr King said the retailer believed that the Making Sainsbury's Great Again recovery plan, which was launched in October 2004, was delivering "substantial value" to shareholders.

During the fourth quarter, Sainsbury opened five new supermarkets and five new convenience stores in addition to refurbishing 11 existing stores.

The retailer said that strong product offerings during key events had helped boost sales, with an estimated 0.3 per cent of the company's sales growth over the quarter attributable to its involvement in Red Nose Day.

Sainsbury also revealed that during Fairtrade Fortnight sales of relevant products grew by 150 per cent compared to the previous year.

Commenting on the company's recovery initiative, Mr King said: "As we enter the third year of the plan, we are confident that we can continue to build upon this recovery."