15th Jan 2015 07:52
LONDON (Alliance News) - FTSE 250-listed food wholesaler Booker Group PLC on Thursday posted a rise in sales in the 16 weeks to January 2 and said the turnaround plan for its Makro cash-and-carry business is on track.
Booker said total sales in the 16 weeks, including Makro, rose 1.4%, with tobacco sales up 2.2% and non-tobacco sales up 1%. Like-for-like sales, excluding Makro, rose 2.5% for Booker, with tobacco sales increasing 2.4% and non-tobacco sales up 2.6%.
Booker said its Booker Wholesale cash-and-carry business performed well, with customer numbers rising and sales in line with expectations. Booker Direct, Chef Direct and Ritter all performed line with forecasts, it said.
The group added the turnaround of the Makro business is on track. Non-tobacco sales for Makro were down 6.5% in the period as the group exits non-profitable product categories. Booker said it has now converted nine Makro stores to the new format.
Sales in Booker's India business continued to progress, it said.
It expects profit and net cash for the year to be in line with expectations.
"This was a good quarter, with Booker Group continuing to make progress in a challenging market. We continue to improve the choice, prices and service to catering, retailing and small business customers in the UK," said Booker Chief Executive Charles Wilson.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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