Booker Retail sales up 22%

Booker’s retail sales for the first half of the year grew by 22% as it “adapted its offer to meet greater demand for grocery products.”

In Tesco Group’s half year results for the six months ending August 29, year-on-year sales for Booker Group grew by 11% to £3.4bn in the period. The growth was partly attributed to the wholesaler “adapting its retail offer to meet greater demand for grocery products and supporting catering customers to move to a delivery model.”

Tesco added that Booker was well-placed to emerge in a stronger competitive position. Despite the 22% growth in retail, sales in Booker’s catering arm declined by 12% annually during the same period, reflecting closures across the hospitality industry during the pandemic.

The results also revealed that Tesco has been using Booker to help provide more than 100,000 additional click and collect slots for the supermarket, while the wholesaler has also donated more than 3m meals to care homes across the country.

Sales for Tesco’s convenience business rose by 7.6%, helped by “particularly strong performance” in Express and One Stop stores based in neighbourhood locations. Sales across Tesco during the first half of the year rose by 6.6% from £25bn to £26.7bn.

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy, who has taken over this month following Dave Lewis’ departure, said: “The first half of this year has tested our business in ways we had never imagined, and our colleagues have risen brilliantly to every challenge, acting in the best interests of our customers and local communities throughout.  I would like to thank all our colleagues for their amazing contribution and I am delighted and proud to be part of such an incredible team.

“We are absolutely committed to continuing to invest in value for customers and safety for all in these uncertain times.”