3i group plc said thursday that discount retailer action has had strong sales growth in the year to date and the private equity portfolio continues to demonstrate overall resilience the international investment manager which focuses on midmarket equity and infrastructure said actions likeforlike sales and footfall were significantly ahead on year but basket size was slightly down inventory and supply chain continue to perform in line it said the privateequity portfolio is demonstrating resilience with the majority building on growth including cirtec sanisure and nexeye given current market conditions a number of companies are managing lower customer demand and inflationary pressures it said despite shortterm market volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty the portfolio is wellpositioned and 3i increasingly sees attractive opportunities to deploy capital it said shares in 3i group at 1311 gmt were down 2650 pence or 24 at 108550 pence