Booker confident of Makro integration
BOOKER, the cash and carry group which bought Salford-based Makro last year, has reported a marginal 0.1% increase in second quarter sales.
But it said like-for-like revenues were up by 1.8% in the three months to September 12, and by 3.8% after stripping out tobacco sales.
Booker’s £140m deal for loss-making Makro was approved by competition regulators in April 2013.
It said the Makro turnaround was on track with cash and profits in line with expectations. But Makro’s non-tobacco like-for-likes were down 10.8% in the 12 weeks and down 11.4% in the half as the business pulled out of what it describes as “non profitable, non professional categories”. Four Makros have been revamped and a further four will be completed in the second half. Sales in India are continuing to make progress.
Chief executive Charles Wilson said: “Booker Group continues to make good progress. This was a good quarter with Booker non tobacco like-for-like sales up 3.1%. Our plans to focus, drive and broaden Booker Group are on track. We continue to improve choice, price and service to become the best supplier to caterers, retailers and small business in the UK.”
Booker will announce its interim results for the 24 weeks to September 12 on October 16.
