Booker has increased its sales and profitability in what is set to be its final full-year accounts prior to the merger with Tesco.
The wholesale giant reported sales of £5.3 billion for the 52 weeks to 24 March, a 6.7 per cent increase on the year before. Like-for-like non-tobacco sales were up 2.8 per cent, while pre-tax profit rose 15 per cent to £174 million.
Sales to caterers rose by 4.4 per cent over the year, but sales to retailers fell by 0.6 per cent.
The results come as Booker awaits the outcome of the competition authority investigation into its proposed merger with Tesco, which would create Britain's largest food business. Subject to competition and shareholder approval, it expects the merger to complete in late 2017 or early 2018.
Chief executive Charles Wilson said: 'Booker Group had another good year. Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden the business remains on track. Customer satisfaction was strong and sales and profits were the best we have ever achieved.
'We are planning to merge with Tesco to create the UK’s leading food business.This merger should deliver significant benefits for consumers, Booker customers, suppliers, colleagues and shareholders. We are very grateful for the support of our customers, suppliers and everybody in the group and look forward to making progress in the year ahead.”
