Q4 Interim Management Statement

4 April 2013

Booker Group plc

Quarter Four Interim Management Statement

Booker, the UK's leading wholesaler, is pleased to announce its trading performance for the 12 weeks to 29 March 2013. Total Sales, excluding Makro (see Notes), rose by 2.3% on the same period last year. Non-tobacco sales were 4.3% higher, while tobacco sales fell by 0.8%. On a like-for-like basis total sales rose by 2.2% compared to the same period last year, non-tobacco sales rose by 4.2% and tobacco sales fell by 0.9%.

Total sales in the 52 weeks to 29 March 2013 excluding Makro were £4.0bn, up by 3.5% compared to last year, and total like-for-likes were up by 3.3%. Like-for-like non-tobacco sales rose by 4.5%, while like-for-like tobacco sales increased by 1.3%. Sales to caterers rose by 6.2% and retailers by 2.0%. Customer numbers increased by 5% to 504,000 and customer satisfaction improved further. Internet sales increased by 11% to £704m. Our delivered wholesale businesses are progressing and our expansion in India continues with the opening of our third branch in Mumbai.

The Group had around £77m net cash at the end of the year, compared to £63m a year ago. This is after paying a part cash consideration of £15.8m for the Makro business. Profits for the 52 weeks to 29 March 2013 remain in line with expectations.

We acquired Makro on July 4th 2012. The Competition Commission is finalising its review of the transaction and during this review we are required to hold the Makro business separate from the rest of Booker. The Competition Commission has provisionally cleared the acquisition and we anticipate the final report being issued by 24 April 2013. In the last quarter Makro has been trading in line with our expectations. The senior management of Booker and Makro remain confident that, by working together, we will be able to improve choice, prices and service for caterers, retailers and small and medium sized enterprises. We will be able to offer foods and non foods via the internet, delivery and cash and carry to an enlarged customer base. This will help the customers of both Booker and Makro to prosper.

Charles Wilson, Booker Chief Executive, said:

"In a challenging environment, Booker has continued to grow non tobacco sales by 4.3% through improving customer satisfaction. We are into the final stage of the Competition Commission's review of the Makro acquisition and we remain confident that a combination of Booker and Makro will improve choice, prices and service for caterers, retailers and small businesses in the UK."

ENDS

For further information contact:

Tulchan Communications (PR adviser to Booker Group plc)

020 7353 4200

Susanna Voyle

Rebecca Scott

NOTES:

§ Sales are stated net of value added tax

§ Makro is a wholesaler supplying independent retailers and caterers, and small companies and offices,

acquired in July 2012

§ Booker Wholesale supplies independent retailers and caterers via the internet, delivery and cash and

carry

§ Booker India is a wholesaler in India operating from three sites in Mumbai and, via a joint venture, a site

in Pune

§ Booker acquired Makro on 4 July 2012 in exchange for 156,621,525 new ordinary shares, being 9.99%

of the existing share capital of Booker at that time, and £15.8m in cash. We notified the transaction to

the Office of Fair Trading ('OFT') who referred it to the Competition Commission. Until this review is

complete, we are required to hold the Makro business separate from the rest of Booker, pursuant to

undertakings given in the normal way. Under accounting rules (IFRS 3), Makro will initially be held as an investment in Booker Group plc's balance sheet and will only be consolidated into its financial statements once completion clearance is obtained. Accordingly, the performance of Makro is not reflected in the Group sales performance as set out above