Booker's recovery is gathering pace, according to results published for its fourth quarter.
In the final quarter of its financial year ending March 28 total sales, including Blueheath, were up 3.2% (versus 1.3% in the previous quarter). Non-tobacco like-for-likes were up 4.1% (versus 2.4% in the previous quarter) while like-for-like tobacco sales declined by -5% (versus -7.9% in Q3).
Total sales for the full year were up 2.3% compared with the same period last year. Like-for-like non-tobacco sales were up 3.3% and like-for-like tobacco sales declined by -5.4%.
Figures for the sales and profits will be revealed in the preliminary results to be announced on May 22, but Booker said they remained in line with management expectations. Net debt has also been cut by more than a third from £76.5m a year ago to around £50m.
Chief executive Charles Wilson commented: "Booker is on track to deliver results in line with expectations, in spite of the cooling in the economy and the impact of the ban on smoking in public places."
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