Group tobacco sales declined by 1.3%, with tobacco like-for-likes down 1.0%. As a result, total sales were up 2.9% and like- for-likes were up 3.2%.
Charles Wilson, chief executive, said: “Booker Group continues to make good progress with like-for-like non tobacco sales up 5.1%. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group are on track.
“Budgens and Londis are making a solid contribution to the Group. We continue to help our retail, catering and small business customers prosper through improving our choice, prices and service.”
Stuart Hyslop, the group’s managing director for catering and small business, added: “Our catering business has made solid progress. We have continued to listen to our customers to deliver great value for them.
“Christmas trading was strong and I am looking forward to further supporting our customers during the coming months.”
Both the catering and retail sides of Booker Group made good progress. Premier continues to grow and Budgens and Londis are performing well.
Internet sales increased by 10% to £333m (excluding Budgens and Londis) and Booker India continues to make progress.
The group remains on course to meet expectations for the year ending March 24th.