Metro Inc. (MRU.TO) said Wednesday its second-quarter profit was up more than 10 per cent compared with a year ago.

The grocery store chain said it earned $124.9 million or 51 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 12 compared with $111.6 million or 43 cents per diluted share a year ago.

The increase came as sales grew to $2.88 billion, up from $2.71 billion in the same quarter last year.

Same-store sales, a key metric for retailers, increased by 5.0 per cent.

Metro has more than 600 grocery stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics.

The company also has more than 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.