Makro turnaround ‘progressing well’
CASH and carry group Booker saw third quarter sales rise by 19.1% after taking into account its acquisition of Salford-based Makro.
Total sales in the 16 weeks rose by 19.1% on the same period last year. Booker like-for-like total sales – excluding Makro – were 2% higher with non tobacco like-for-likes up 4.1%.
Competition regulators approved the £140m deal to buy Salford-based Makro from German group Metro in April.
The group said cash and profits were in line with expectations and its work on turning around loss-making Makro’s fortunes was “progressing well”. Non tobacco sales were down 5.9% in the 16 weeks after the business stopped selling some consumer ranges such as televisions.
Chief executive Charles Wilson said: “This was a good quarter with non tobacco like-for-likes up 4.1%. Our plans for bringing Booker and Makro together are on track. We continue to improve the choice, prices and service to catering, retailing and small business customers in the UK.”
Around 3,000 people work for Makro with 200 in the Eccles head office. Some 10,000 work for Northamptonshire-based Booker which has sales of £4bn.
