Booker Group, the UK’s leading food wholesaler, has announced its trading performance for the 16 weeks to 1 January 2016, showing that group sales, including Budgens and Londis, rose by 10.5% on the same period last year.
Booker Wholesale with Makro, our cash and carry division, had a good quarter for customer numbers, customer satisfaction and cash profit.
Non tobacco sales reduced by 1.3% on a like-for- like basis. They were impacted by deflation in food prices and many customers reporting weak consumer demand during the period.
Booker Direct, Chef Direct and Ritter performed as we expected. We made good progress on the integration of Londis and Budgens, which joined the Group on 14 September 2015. Sales in India continued to make progress from our six branches.
The outlook for profits and net cash remains in line with the guidance given at the Interim
Results.
Charles Wilson, Booker Chief Executive, said, “Booker Group continued to make progress in a challenging market. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden remain on track. Budgens and Londis are settling into the Group well as we continue to improve choice, prices and service for all our customers.”