An impressive set of full year results will enable Booker to continue broadening its ranges and driving down prices for retailers, chief executive Charles Wilson said.
The 52 weeks to March 30 saw Booker achieve a 27% hike in pre-tax profits to £90.8m.
Like-for-like sales rose 6.1% during the year, with non-tobacco sales up 5.1% and tobacco sales up by 7.8%. Internet sales also rallied 21% to £635m with sales to retailers having risen by 6.1%.
“Booker has continued to improve our choice, price and service which has resulted in 21,000 more customers shopping at Booker,” said managing director Guy Farrant.
“Our own brands are adding real value to our customers businesses, with our fresh offering including Farm Fresh doing exceptionally well. We have now converted 142 of our 172 business centres to the ‘Extra’ format which means a lighter, brighter and more customer friendly environment for our customers.”
Booker’s value brands Euro Shopper and Happy Shopper had also proved a key draw for retailers in the past year, according to Steve Fox, sales director for retail.
“Our Premier, Retail Club and Shop Local 2 Go customers have also shown good growth, with events such as the Jubilee, Euro 2012 and the Olympics presenting some fantastic opportunities for this to continue,” he added.
At least four of Booker’s key London depots will remain open for 24 hours during the two week Olympic period, and Premier retailers will also be supported with a raft of promotions and local press advertising.
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