Q2 Trading Update

For Immediate Release

14 September 2017

Booker Group plc

Quarter Two Trading Update

For the 12 weeks to 8 September 2017

Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, had another good quarter. Group sales rose by 1.1% on the same period last year with non tobacco sales up 5.8%. Both the Catering and Retail sides of Booker Group performed well. Like-for-like non tobacco sales grew by 6.0%. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by changes in tobacco legislation, down 9.4% like-for-like. The Group had a solid quarter for customer satisfaction and cash profit. We continue to make progress with Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Ritter and Booker India. Premier continues to grow and Budgens and Londis are performing well.

Our balance sheet remains strong with a net cash position as at 8 September 2017 of approximately £165m due to favourable working capital movements.

On 27 January 2017 we announced the planned merger with Tesco plc and we are currently going through the review process with the Competition and Markets Authority. As a result of the proposed merger, we are 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.

Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, said:

"Booker Group continues to make good progress with like-for-like non tobacco sales up 6.0%. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group are on track. The competition review of the planned merger with Tesco plc is progressing. We continue to help our retail, catering and small business customers prosper through improving our choice, prices and service."

Booker Group will announce its interim results for the 24 weeks to 8 September 2017 on Thursday 12 October 2017. A presentation for analysts will be held at 08:30 on 12 October. For details call Chantel Baldry at Tulchan Communications on 020 7353 4200.

Notes:

1. sales are stated net of value added tax

2. like-for-like sales is a measure of change in sales from UK operations from prior year to current year. No adjustments to sales are made when individual customers are gained or lost. If a Business Centre is closed, for the twelve months following the closure date the sales of the Business Centre are removed from the prior year comparative. If sales are transferred to a replacement Business Centre in the same vicinity no such adjustment is made. If a Business Centre is opened where none previously existed, all sales for the first twelve months will be excluded. Where a business is acquired, sales are excluded until the anniversary of the acquisition

ENDS

For further information contact:

Tulchan Communications (PR Adviser to Booker Group plc)

020 7353 4200 Susanna Voyle / Jess Reid