Dutch supermarket sales up 2.7 pct in June

AMSTERDAM, July 2 (Reuters) - Dutch supermarket sales in June were up 2.7 percent on a year ago at 2.43 billion euros ($3.43 billion), market research firm GfK said on Thursday.

Sales growth in June was lower than the 7.8 percent increase recorded in May and 8.2 percent rise in April, GfK said in a statement.

Over the first half of the year Dutch supermarket sales have risen 4.3 percent to 15.6 billion euros from 14.9 billion last year. Second-quarter sales were up 6.4 percent after a 2.3 percent rise in the first quarter.

The main reason for the rise in half-year sales was an increased number of shopping trips, GfK said. Since March consumer visits to supermarkets have risen 4 percent as increased promotional activity by stores has prompted consumers to shop around more. ($1=.7087 euros) (Reporting by Aaron Gray-Block; Editing by Greg Mahlich)