UK cash-and-carry group Booker said sales for the year remained in line with expectations despite “difficult” January trading.
Sales in the year to 26 March were up by 6.5% to GBP3.4bn (US$5.17bn), while total like-for-likes were also up by 6.5%.
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Like-for-like non-tobacco sales rose by 6.9%, while like-for-like tobacco sales increased by 5.8%. Like-for-like sales to caterers increased 9.1% and to retailers 5.3%.
Booker said customer numbers increased by 4.1% to around 431,000 and internet sales increased by 62.8% to GBP407m.
“Booker continues to make good progress with like-for-like sales up 3.6% in the final quarter against a strong comparative period last year,” said Charles Wilson, Booker chief executive.
“We served 17,000 more customers in the year and customer satisfaction improved. We know that January was difficult for many of our customers due to the poor weather; we are very grateful for their continuing business.”
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By GlobalDataIn the final quarter total sales rose by 3.8% on the same period last year, with total like-for-likes up by 3.6%. Non-tobacco like-for-likes rose by 3%, while like-for-like tobacco sales increased by 4.6%.
Booker said its fresh departments did particularly well with fruit and vegetables up 61% and meat up 16%.
The firm said its performance in India continues to be “encouraging” and will provide an update on its future plans in the country with the company’s full-year results on 20 May.
