Financial Highlights
Total sales £2.3bn, +1.9%
Booker like-for-like sales (excluding Makro) up 2.4%. Non tobacco sales up 3.4% and tobacco sales up 0.6%
Operating profit (pre £7.0m prior year exceptional credit related to Makro acquisition) +15% to £68.1m
Profit before tax (pre exceptionals) £67.4m, +16%
Profit after tax (post exceptionals) £55.3m, +3%
Underlying earnings per share up 16% at 3.17 pence
Basic earnings per share up 2% at 3.17 pence
Net cash of £107.2m
Interim dividend of 0.52 pence per share, up 16%
As previously indicated, intended return of capital in July 2015
Operational Highlights
Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group continues to make progress
Makro integration is on track
Booker customer satisfaction improved during the period
Internet sales up 12% to £413m in the half
Plan to increase delivery capacity over the next two years by 80%
Booker Direct, Ritter Courivaud, Classic and Chef Direct continue to make good progress
Booker India is on track
