Booker Group, the UK’s leading food wholesaler, has posted solid third quarter results, covering 16 weeks to 29 December 2017, showing that group non-tobacco sales rose by 5.9%, with non-tobacco like-for-likes up 6.2%.
Both the Catering and Retail sides of Booker Group made good progress. Premier continues to grow and Budgens and Londis are performing well. The firm is proud to have commenced the supply to Shell and MRH forecourt businesses in December 2017. Internet sales increased by 14% to £381m (excluding Budgens and Londis) and Booker India continues to make progress.
On 27 January 2017, Booker announced the planned merger with Tesco plc. As a result of the proposed merger, the firm is in an offer period as defined in the Takeover Code and will not be making forward looking statements for the duration of the offer period.
On 20 December 2017, the Competition and Markets Authority published its decision granting unconditional clearance of the merger. Booker anticipates that the shareholder vote to approve the merger will be towards the end of February 2018.
Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, said, “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.”
