Booker’s sales rise as it awaits green light for Londis takeover
BOOKER Group, which owns food wholesalers including Makro, yesterday unveiled a 0.4 per cent rise in first-quarter sales, while it awaits regulatory clearance to complete its takeover of Budgens and Londis.
The FTSE 250 firm said its cash and carry division Makro and its delivered wholesale businesses Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Classic and Ritter all had “a good quarter”, while sales in India continue to make progress. Booker announced in May that it plans to buy the Londis and Budgens grocer chains for £40m, but the deal is subject to the approval of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). “We will update shareholders when the CMA stage 1 review is complete,” it said.
Booker said it remains on course to meet expectations for the year ending 25 March 2016.
“Our plans to focus, drive and broaden Booker Group are on track,”said chief Charles Wilson.