August 11 -- Supermarket chain operator Shanghai Friendship Group (600827) and Shanghai Bailian Group (600631), an operator of department stores and supermarkets, both posted earnings growth in the first half, reports yicai.com.

Shanghai Friendship posted a 30.97 percent year-on-year increase in first half 2011 net profit to 236 million yuan on a 6.7 percent rise in revenue to 16.6 billion yuan.

Bailian Group recorded a 92.29 percent year-on-year rise in first half 2011 net profit to 612 million yuan. Revenue increased 16.39 percent to eight billion yuan.

Shanghai Friendship and Bailian Group said they will continue to work on their integration in the second half. The current Bailian will be written off, while the name of Shanghai Friendship will be changed to Shanghai Bailian Group following the completion of the restructuring.

The new entity will have total assets of 36 billion yuan.

The integration plan was approved conditionally by the China Securities Regulatory Commission in June.