The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Aug. 10, edition that Metro has posted a jump in both sales and profits in its third quarter, as a strike among its 3,700 Toronto-area grocery workers continues for a second week. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that on Wednesday Metro said adjusted profits grew by more than 10 per cent in the quarter, as inflation pushed prices higher and shoppers looking for deals visited its discount stores more often, pushing sales up. Metro's net earnings grew to $346.7-million or $1.49 a share. That compared with $275-million or $1.14 a share in the same period the prior year. According to the company, that 26.1-per-cent jump in profits was partly accounted for by a one-time favourable adjustment on a tax benefit. Not including that $40.7-million benefit, Metro's adjusted net earnings grew by 10.9 per cent. Metro says there are signs inflation is moderating: Metro received 40 per cent fewer price-increase requests in the third quarter than it did in the same period last year. Like other retailers, Metro executives say that while prices on shelves have been going up, they do not entirely pass on the cost increases received from suppliers.