Booker Group sales flat for second quarter

Food wholesaler Booker has had a flat second quarter with group sales rising by only 1%.

The group comprises Booker Wholesale, Makro, Booker Direct, Classic Drinks, Ritter Courivaud, Chef Direct, Premier, Family Shopper, Budgens, Londis and Booker India.

Non-tobacco sales in the 12 weeks up to 8 September 2017 were up 5.8% while tobacco sales were impacted by changes in tobacco legislation and like-for-like sales were down 9.4%.

Booker's net cash position is at approximately £165m. This is credited to "favourable working capital movements".

In January, Booker announced a planned merger with Tesco. According to the report, Booker is currently going through the review process.

Charles Wilson, chief executive, said: "Booker Group continues to make good progress with like-for-like non tobacco sales up 6%. Our plans to focus, drive and broaden Booker Group are on track. The competition review of the planned merger with Tesco plc is progressing. We continue to help our retail, catering and small business customers prosper through improving our choice, prices and service."

The group employs approximately 13,000 staff and serves 94,000 independent retailers.