Booker Group PLC Q2 Trading Update (8550J)

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RNS Number : 8550J

Booker Group PLC

15 September 2016

For Immediate Release

15 September 2016

Booker Group plc

Quarter Two Trading Update

For the 12 weeks to 9 September 2016

Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, had a good quarter. Group sales, including Budgens and Londis, rose by 15.2% on the same period last year with non tobacco sales up 15.5%. Both the Catering and Retail sides of Booker Group performed well. Like-for-like non tobacco sales grew by 0.9%. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by the ban on small stores displaying tobacco products, down 3.5% like-for-like. Booker India performed as we expected. Premier continues to grow and we made good progress with the integration of Budgens and Londis.

 
                                        Total   Tobacco   Non Tobacco 
                                          %        %           % 
--------------  ---------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
                 Total Sales 
                  (including Budgens 
 Booker Group     & Londis)             15.2     14.5        15.5 
--------------  ---------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
                 Like-for-like Sales 
                  (excluding Budgens 
 Booker Group     & Londis)             (0.4)    (3.5)        0.9 
--------------  ---------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
 

Our balance sheet remains strong with a net cash position as at 9 September 2016 of approximately GBP105m.

Booker Group remains on course to meet expectations for the year ending 24 March 2017.

Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, said:

"Booker Group continues to make good progress with sales in the quarter up 15.2%. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group are on track. Budgens and Londis joined the Group last September and are making a solid contribution. We continue to help our retail, catering and small business customers prosper through improving our choice, prices and service."

Booker Group will announce its interim results for the 24 weeks to 9 September 2016 on Thursday 13 October 2016. A presentation for analysts will be held at 08:30 on 13 October. For details call Charlotte Evans at Tulchan Communications on 020 7353 4200.

Notes: Sales are stated net of value added tax

ENDS

For further information contact:

Tulchan Communications (PR Adviser to Booker Group plc)

   020 7353 4200   Susanna Voyle / Samantha Chiene 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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September 15, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)