Booker Group saw like-for-like non tobacco sales rise slightly by 0.1% for the 24 weeks to 9 September.
Total sales in the period grew 12.6% to £2.5bn although tobacco sales fell 5.6% due to the display ban.
Operating profit of £81.4m was up 9% and profit before tax rose by the same level to £81m.
Booker.co.uk sales grew to £506m, up 10% versus the same period last year. The group said that Booker Direct, Ritter Courivaud, Chef Direct and Classic were all developing as planned. During the half it started to supply Carluccio’s and Prezzo.
The group said its drive into the catering market was working, with like-for-like sales to caterers having increased by 1.8%. Customer satisfaction was 90.3% and that company has a trial in Norwich to improve choice and offer customers same day delivery.
Chief executive Charles Wilson said: “This was a good half. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden the business remain on track. We strive to improve choice, prices and service for our catering, retail and small business customers. Londis and Budgens joined the Group last September and the turnaround of the businesses is going well. We look forward to helping our customers prosper in the second half.”
