JOHANNESBURG, Sept 6 (Reuters) – South Africa’s biggest grocer Shoprite Holdings SHPJ.J reported a 10.3% increase in annual profit on Tuesday as shoppers flocked to discount store chains for everything from groceries to household supplies in the face of higher inflation.

Shoprite’s more affluent customers, who have largely shrugged off the impact of inflation, also boosted profit and sales at its upmarket Checkers supermarket chain, which also offers on-demand grocery delivery.

Shoprite, with more than 2,900 stores in 11 African countries, said headline earnings per share, the main profit measure in South Africa, rose to 1,055 cents in the 52 weeks to July 3, up from 956.3 cents in the prior year.

Shoprite managed to chalk up group sales growth of 184.1 billion rand ($10.75 billion), up 9.6% as its core South African supermarkets business grew sales by 10.1%, despite the impact of civil unrest last year that damaged its 231 stores.

Within this unit, its discount namesake Shoprite and Usave supermarket businesses, which together make up 52.8% of Supermarkets South Africa sales, increased sales by 7.2%, while its Checkers supermarket business, which makes up 39.8% of revenue, increased sales by 9.1%.

The retailer had more shoppers at its stores in the financial year, with visits up by 5% and average basket spend increased by 4.9%. Internal selling price inflation was kept below the country’s inflation, measuring at 3.9% for the group, it said.

($1 = 17.1328 rand)

(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Tom Hogue and Louise Heavens)