Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, sales (minus tobacco) rose by 4.8%, with like-for-likes up 5.1%, for 16 weeks to 30 December 2016.
Group tobacco sales declined by 1.3% with tobacco like-for-likes down 1.0%. As a result, total sales were up 2.9% and like-for-likes were up 3.2%.
Both the Catering and Retail sides of Booker Group made good progress. Premier continues to grow and Budgens (pictured) and Londis are performing well. Internet sales increased by 10% to £333m (excluding Budgens and Londis) and Booker India continues to make progress.
Booker Group remains on course to meet expectations for the year ending 24 March 2017. Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, said, 'Booker Group continues to make good progress with like-for-like non tobacco sales up 5.1%. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group are on track.
'Budgens and Londis are making a solid contribution to the Group. We continue to help our retail, catering and small business customers prosper through improving our choice, prices and service.'