Booths hailed what it called a “stable platform for future growth” after pre-tax losses halved during a “better than planned” year for the family-owned northern grocer.
Executive chairman Edwin Booth had previously warned rising employment costs and inflation could drag on sales, but annual accounts published this week were “significantly” better than expected.
Sales grew by 1.4% to £323m thanks to increased footfall and a higher basket spend during the year to 29 March 2025.
Booths enjoyed “record” sales in the 2024 Christmas quarter, up by 9.3% year on year.
The retailer said unexpectedly good sales growth was enough to offset the impact of the increase in the national living wage. Gross profit increased by £3.1m to £35.1m. Overall pre-tax group losses halved from £1.6m in 2024, to £0.8m.
Income from Booths’ manufacturing business declined by £1.6m to £9.9m, but profitability was maintained thanks more efficient transport and cost control following a consolidation and modernisation of its cold supply chain throughout 2024. It had also added new clients, it said.
Booths’ emphasis on customer service pays off
Booths pointed to its “industry-leading” customer satisfaction score of 74%, measured by its weekly customer survey, as a sign that its continued emphasis on “delivering great shopping experiences” and service was paying off.
The sales growth also came despite the closure of its Hale Barns store in Manchester in April 2024 and peak Easter trading falling outside of the financial year. The numbers were adjusted to account for the £7.3m contribution from Hale Barns the previous year. The leasehold was sold to Asda for £1.75m.
“We’ve delivered a solid financial performance by remaining true to our purpose to be loved by our customers for inspiring and nourishing their desire for delicious food and drink,” Edwin Booth said, in a statement to The Grocer.
“Every year brings new challenges to retailing, but Booths continues to thrive with the dedication of our talented colleagues and partners across the business.
It said Booths would continue to invest in the future by continuing with the next stage of its ongoing IT overhaul, as well as into its stores in Knutsford, Scotforth and Barrowford.
The Grocer revealed in April that Booths had rolled out new loyalty pricing in what MD Nigel Murray described as a “fundamental shakeup” of its Booths Card programme.
Booths’ store estate declined further in 2025 to 26 stores, following the closure of its supermarket in Ripon, North Yorkshire over the summer, as a result of “significantly increased costs”.
No comments yet