Like-for-like sales, which reflect the effect of store openings and closures, were down by 1.6% when VAT was included and fuel excluded. Pre-tax profits of £339m grew from a loss of £290m at the same time last year, while underlying pre-tax profits fell by 17.9% from £375m last year to £308m. Sainsbury's predicted that although shoppers are buying "smarter" and minimising food waste, supermarkets would remain the "dominant channel for grocery shopping, but they need to adapt their product and service proposition." It added: "Against this backdrop, grocers who run efficient operations across a broad range of channels will be the most successful and best-equipped to deal with the current sector turbulence." During the first half, it notched up a record week for online sales, delivering 256,000 orders. Sainsbury's had 52 click and collect sites for grocery by the end of the half, and said it was on track to have 100 by the end of this year.