Booker reports progress over summer

Food wholesaler Booker Group reported a modest 0.1% year-on-year rise in sales in the last three months and said it was on track to meet its full-year expectations.On a like-for-like basis, sales in the 12 weeks to 12 September climbed 1.8%.Looking at the last 24 weeks, the picture was a bit brighter, with a rise of 1.9% year-on-year, while excluding the acquisition of Makro, sales were up 2.4%, with non tobacco like-for-likes up 3.4%.Its cash and carry division, booker wholesale, had what the FTSE 250 listed group described as a good quarter, with higher customer numbers and in line sales.Overall, progress was made and the turnaround of Makro is "on track", Booker said, with four Makro outlets converted to its new format and a further four due for completion in the second half.Makro's non tobacco like-for-likes were down 10.8% in the 12 weeks and down 11.4% in the half as it continued to exit non-profitable, non-professional categories.It added that its financial position remained "strong", with net cash of £107m.Chief executive Charles Wilson said: "Booker Group continues to make good progress. This was a good quarter with Booker non tobacco like-for-like sales up 3.1%.""Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group are on track. We continue to improve choice, price and service to become the best supplier to caterers, retailers and small business in the UK."