Booker Q3 sales rise 3.4%; sees Tesco merger vote in Feb

Third quarter sales at UK food wholesaler Booker rose 3.4%, with like-for-likes up 3.8%, the company said on Thursday.

The company, which is in the process of merging with Tesco, said group non tobacco sales rose by 5.9% with non tobacco like-for-likes up 6.2%. Group tobacco sales declined by 2.6% with tobacco like-for-likes down 2.1%.

Both the catering and retail operations made good progress, Booker said, adding that its Premier store chain continued to grow, while the Budgens and Londis supermarkets were performing well.

Internet sales increased by 14% to £381m (excluding Budgens and Londis) and Booker India continued to make progress, the company added.

Booker said it would not making forward statements due to the Tesco deal, and expected the shareholder vote on the merger to take place towards the end of February.

Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, said: "The proposed merger with Tesco is progressing as planned. We are very grateful for the support we have received from customers, suppliers, shareholders and colleagues during this process."