LONDON (AP) — J Sainsbury PLC, Britain's third largest supermarket chain, posted a 5.6 percent rise in first-half net profit yesterday, crediting its range of discounted products with attracting customers despite the looming recession.

Net profit for the 28 weeks to October 4 was £170 million ($262 million), up from £161 million a year earlier, the company said. Sales for the period rose 7.6 percent to £10.8 billion ($16.7 billion).

Quarterly figures were not released.

Sainsbury said it had extended the number of products it offered in its cut-price "basics range" to attract shoppers looking for value amid the economic downturn. Sales of the range's products shot up 25 percent during the first half of the year, the company said.

"Getting the best value for money is even more important to consumers when household budgets are stretched," said chief executive Justin King. "We have successfully developed our offer to help offset the rising cost of living and tighter household budgets."