Booker pre-tax profits up 30%

Pre-tax profits at Booker Group rose 30% to £47.2m on sales up 3.3% to £3.2bn for the year to March 27. Like-for-like sales to caterers and other non-retailers were up 7%, and sales to retailers were up 1%.

Its results, published today, also report that internet sales increased 129% on the previous year to £250m.

Summarising the results, chief executive Charles Wilson said: “Customer satisfaction has improved, our sales have increased, operating profits are up 25% and our net debt is down 47%. Our plan to focus, drive and broaden the business is working and we are satisfied with the progress we have made.”

The company also announced that its plans to transfer listing of its shares from AIM (Alternative Investment Market) to the main London Stock Exchange market are on track. The move is scheduled to take place at the beginning of July.