Q1 sales up 3.8% at Booker

BOOKER, the cash and carry group which bought Salford-based Makro last year, has reported a 3.8% increase in first quarter sales.

After stripping out tobacco sales Booker said revenues had increased by 5.4%.

The £140m deal for loss-making Makro was approved by competition regulators in April 2013.

At the AGM today chief executive Charles Wilson will say: “Overall it has been a good quarter. Total sales, including Makro, were up 3.8%. Booker’s non tobacco like-for-likes (excluding Makro) were up 3.6%.”

He will add: “The Makro turnaround is on track with cash and profits in line with expectations. Makro’s non-tobacco like-for-likes were down 12% as we have continued to exit non profitable, non professional categories.”