TIDMBOK

RNS Number : 3168D

Booker Group PLC

06 July 2016

For Immediate Release

6 July 2016

Booker Group plc ('Booker Group')

Annual General Meeting and Quarter One Trading Update

For the 12 weeks to 17 June 2016

Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, is holding its Annual General Meeting at 11am today. At the meeting, Chief Executive Charles Wilson will read out the following Trading Update:

"Overall Booker Group had another solid quarter. Group sales, including Budgens and Londis, rose by 10.0% on the same period last year. Booker Wholesale with Makro, our cash and carry business, had a good quarter for customer satisfaction and cash profit. Non tobacco sales reduced by 0.7% on a like-for-like basis. These sales were impacted by deflation in food prices and many customers reporting weak consumer demand during the period. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by the ban on small stores displaying tobacco products, down 7.7% like-for-like. Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Ritter and 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 
                  (including Budgens 
 Booker Group     & Londis)             10.0      6.4        11.7 
--------------  ---------------------  ------  --------  ------------ 
                 Like-for-like 
                  (excluding Budgens 
 Booker Group     & Londis)             (2.9)    (7.7)       (0.7) 
--------------  ---------------------  ------  --------  ------------

Our balance sheet remains strong with a net cash position. As previously announced, we are today seeking shareholder approval to implement a capital return to shareholders of 3.20 pence per ordinary share at a cost of approximately GBP57m.

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. 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 enhance choice, price and service for our retail, catering and small business customers and look forward to growing with them in the year ahead."

Note:

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

Charlotte Church

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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