Booker Group saw non-tobacco sales grow 6.3% in the year to 25 March but fall 0.3% on a like-for-like basis.
Total sales were up 5% to £5bn but group like-for-like sales fell 1.9%
Like-for-like sales to caterers was up 0.6% including Classic (+1.9% excluding Classic); and to retailers it was down 2.2%
Its operating profit before exceptionals was up 11% to £155.1m, while profit after tax (post exceptionals) rose 9% to £127.8m.
The group said its trading in the first seven weeks of the current financial year was ahead of last year. However, it added: “We anticipate that the challenging consumer and market environment will persist through the coming year and the UK’s food market remains very competitive.”
Charles Wilson, chief executive of Booker, said: “Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden the business remains on track. Booker Group had a good year; customer satisfaction was strong, sales and profits were the best we have ever achieved. We made good progress on the integration of Budgens and Londis. We are very grateful for the support of our customers, suppliers and people and look forward to making progress in the year ahead.”
