Booker boosted by warm Easter period

The Royal Wedding, Easter and the hot weather helped cash & carry giant Booker post bumper first-quarter figures.

Total sales rose 9.5%, or by 7.4% on a like-for-like basis, in the 12 weeks to 17 June. Non-tobacco sales rose 9.1%, while tobacco sales jumped 10.1%.

"The first 12 weeks included the impact of Easter phasing, an extra bank holiday, good weather and a large increase in tobacco duty," said CEO Charles Wilson. "After a good start we anticipate that Booker is on course to meet expectations for the year."

Booker Direct MD Mark Alywin reported good progress with Classic Drinks and Ritter-Courivaud, the on-trade wholesaler and fine foods supplier it acquired in 2010. Classic Drinks' operations had now been moved into Booker depots, while Ritter-Courivaud continued to "enjoy promising growth" and customer numbers had expanded.