Seven-Eleven Japan, which runs over 7,500 franchise shops here, said only current profit grew 3.7 per cent to 61.33 billion yen (519 million) in six months through August 31, with operating revenues

Seven-Eleven and its parent Ito-Yokado Co Ltd, an operator of a supermarket chain, are among the winners in the troubled retail industry, now hit hard by a prolonged sales slump and tough competition under deregulation, analysts said.

Apparent losers include retail conglomerate Daiei Inc and Seiyu Ltd now struggling to clean up hefty group debts created after years of aggressive expansion.

"Seven-Eleven is outstanding and its top status would not be shaken for now," said Michinori Shimizu, an industry analyst at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. "I cannot see any problem for the firm in achieving itsearnings target for the full year."

Seven-Eleven said its parent-only current profit would grow 4.4 per cent to total 117 billion yen for the year through next February, a record annual profit for the 25th straight year.

Its half-year net profit raised to 21 yen per share from 19 yen the same hahf-year period a year earlier.