CAR parts and bicycle retailer Halfords reported total sales up by over 9 per cent, with underlying like-for-like sales accelerating by 5.3 per cent, in its last financial year. The group said growth was seen across all product categories and continued consistently throughout the period to March 30. It opened 25 new stores during the year, taking its estate to 426 sites, with a staff headcount of around 10,000. The company also developed new formats including its standalone Bikehut stores at Brighton and Putney. Halfords said it expected to deliver pre-tax profits in line with market expectations on June 7. Among forecasts, Seymour Pierce stockbrokers is looking for underlying annual profits of £78.5m, against £70.1m a year earlier. The figure strips out the impact of property transactions. Total sales rose 9.1 per cent, with Halfords adding that margin dilution reduced during the period.