Sainsbury's, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United Kingdom, has issued a warning about rising food prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Chief Executive Simon Roberts highlighted that the war is likely to put pressure on food prices, primarily driven by increasing energy costs that affect food production. He urged the UK government to extend energy support schemes to the food sector, emphasizing that energy costs are crucial during the peak growing season. The Food and Drink Federation has also indicated that food inflation could surpass 9% this year due to the crisis. Despite these challenges, Sainsbury's reported an underlying operating profit of £1.025 billion for the year ending February 28, although this reflects a 1.1% decline from the previous year. The supermarket expects to achieve operating profits between £975 million and £1.075 billion in the current financial year. Retail sales, excluding fuel, increased by 4.3%, bolstered by a 5.2% rise in grocery sales. Roberts noted that customers are increasingly focused on the cost of living amid the conflict, and Sainsbury's is committed to providing value to its shoppers.