In its third quarter, the group saw non-tobacco sales rise by 5.9% - up 6.2% on 2016 – while group tobacco sales conversely declined by 2.6% and -2.1% like-for-like. This resulted in a 3.4% rise in total overall sales and 3.8% rise like-for-like.
Booker also said its catering and retail sides made “good progress” during the period – Premier “continuing to grow” and Budgens and Londis “performing well.”
Other group achievements include:
- Starting to supply to Shell and MRH forecourt businesses in December
- Internet sales for the quarter (excluding Budgens and Londis) up 14% to £381m
- Booker India “continuing to make progress”
Having announced its planned merger with Tesco plc. in January 2017, the group “anticipates that the shareholder vote to approve the merger will be towards the end of next month (February.)”
Chief executive Charles Wilson commented: “Booker Group had another good quarter with like-for-like non-tobacco sales up 6.2%. We continue to focus, drive and broaden our business to improve choice, prices and service for our customers.
“The proposed merger with Tesco is progressing as planned. We are very grateful for the support we have received from customers, suppliers, shareholders and colleagues during this process.”
Stuart Hyslop, managing director for Catering and Small Business, added: “Our catering business has made strong progress and our customers have told us they had a good festive season. Our 'Food and Drink Guide' has been well received, which has helped improve our customer satisfaction and remains our focus.
“We will continue to listen to our customers to deliver great value for them, and I am looking forward to further supporting our customers during the coming months.”