Wholesaler Booker has reported 2.7% year-on-year growth in total sales for the 16 weeks up to 2 January, 2009.

The group saw like-for-like non-tobacco sales for the period grow by 5%, which cancelled out a fall of 0.9% in tobacco like-for-likes.

Booker chief executive Charles Wilson was pleased with the progress made by the group in the current economic climate.

He said:  “The last quarter was a difficult time for our customers – but due to our improvements in choice, price and service Booker has been rewarded with a larger share of their spend. In a challenging market Booker continues to make good progress."

Wilson reported that the group’s internet sales had grown spectacularly - up 169% on last year’s figures to reach £83m for the period.

Booker also announced that it has extended the period of its banking facilities for another two years until 2012, with Barclays replacing Icelandic bank Kaupthing as a lender.