EXCLUSIVE: Booker to enforce stricter rebate requirements for symbol stores

Booker Retail Partners (BRP) is to increase its Spend & Save threshold for Budgens, Londis and Premier stores, meaning retailers will have to spend between £500 and £4,000 more to qualify for rebates.

The increases from 18 March were communicated in a letter sent to stores, seen by Better Retailing. Based on spend in a four-week period, the changes for affected Budgens retailers will be:

• 0.5% discount – £12,075 to £18,112 (up from £11,500 to £17,249)
• 1% discount – £18,113 to £30,187 (up from £17,250 to £28,749)
• 2% discount – £30,188 to £42,262 (up from £28,750 to £40,249)
• 3% discount – £42,263 to £54,337 (up from £40,250 to £51,749)
• 4% discount – £54,338 to £66,412 (up from £51,750 to £63,249)
• 5% discount – £66,413 to £78,487 (up from £63,250 to £74,749)
• 6% discount – At least £78,488 (up from at least £74,750)

EXCLUSIVE: Booker to enforce stricter rebate requirements for symbol stores

While Londis stores do not have a 6% discount, they will receive the same thresholds as Budgens retailers up to 5%. Premier retailers also confirmed their qualifying spends for rebates would also change.

One affected retailer said: “Booker is getting stricter and tighter. It seems to be a yearly trend at the moment.”

In the letter, Booker Group Retail managing director Colm Johnson said: “By way of a reminder, your rebate level is determined by your four-weekly spend on vape, tobacco and non tobacco purchases at Booker.

“Please note we are increasing the bands for the 2024/25 scheme, but the increase is less than non tobacco inflation and significantly less than tobacco inflation. Booker is proud to serve independent retailers and we continue to work hard to support you and your business to improve choice, price and service for all our customers.”

Booker has been approached for comment.