Booker sales on the up

WHOLESALER Booker Group, the owner of the Salford-based Makro business, has reported continued sales growth in the last quarter of its financial year,

Total group sales, including the Makro business, increased 1% in the 12 weeks to March 27. Excluding Makro, Booker’s like-for-like sales rose by 1.7% in the quarter.

For the 52 weeks to March 27, total sales for the company, including Makro, were £4.75b, up 1.5% year-on-year. Like-for-like total sales, excluding Makro, rose 2.3% in the year.

Booker said its Booker Wholesale cash-and-carry division had a good fourth quarter, with solid sales figures and good customer volumes. The Booker Direct, Ritter Courivaud, Classic Drinks and Chef Direct businesses also performed well in the quarter.

The turnaround at Makro is progressing well, though tobacco sales fell 7.4% in the fourth quarter, as expected, after the company stopped selling certain brands. Cash and profit in the Makro business was in line with expectations, Booker said. It added sales in its Indian business are progressing well.

“This was a good end to a good year. We achieved strong customer satisfaction scores, and sales and profits were the best we have ever achieved. The integration of Makro into the group has gone smoothly which has allowed us to improve choice, prices and service to our catering and retail customers,” said Charles Wilson, Booker’s chief executive.

The company also said chairman Richard Rose was stepping down and it had begun a process to find his successor.