Booker Group, Britain's largest cash-and-carry wholesaler, reported a decreased rise in first-quarter sales, although it claimed that it is on course to achieve its full-year goals.
Shares in the wholesaler fell 3.2 per cent in early trading on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
The company had declared a 13.6-per-cent rise in total sales for the 12 weeks to 21 June 2013.
Like-for-like sales, excluding Makro, rose 2.9 per cent in the 12 weeks to 20 June of this year.
Total non-tobacco sales rose 5.4 per cent. Makro's non-tobacco sales were down 12 per cent, as the company continued to exit non-profitable categories.
Booker operates 172 branches, supplying grocery, spirits, tobacco and non-food items to caterers, convenience stores, restaurants and pubs in the UK.
It bought Makro, the UK business of German retailer Metro AG, in 2012 to reach small firms and hotels.
© 2014 European Supermarket Magazine by Peter Donnelly
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