BOOKER, the UK's largest cash and carry chain, yesterday reported a 29 per cent rise in interim pre-tax profits to £26.5 million.
In the 24 weeks to 12 September, Booker's turnover reached £1.5 billion, a rise of 2 per cent on the same period last
year.
Like-for-like sales rose by 1.1 per cent – compared with 0.4 per cent in the first half of 2007 – while non-tobacco sales were up by 4.1 per cent. Smoking bans across the UK continued to affect Booker's sales, with like-for-like tobacco sales falling by 3.2 per cent, less than the 3.9 per cent drop recorded at the same point last year.
Internet sales nearly tripled to £96m.
Charles Wilson, chief executive of Booker, which has a market cap of about £260m, said: "Despite the challenging business environment, Booker continues to make good progress. Through improving choice, price and service we are gaining a larger spend from our customers."
The firm added: "Group turnover in the first period of the second half is ahead of the same period last year."
Booker – which has 172 branches, including 22 in Scotland – was admitted to Aim last year.
The full article contains 212 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
