Booker to introduce a delivery fee

Booker is introducing a fee per delivery, effective from 28 February, reports the Federation of Independent Retailers.

Premier stores will be affected by the new fee, along with Family Shopper stores and non-symbol retailers.

Premier and Family Shopper stores will be charged £29.95 per delivery, while unaffiliated stores will pay £34.95.

According to Booker, this is a fixed cost and will not fluctuate, regardless of the size of the order. Its minimum drop of £1,000 (excluding tobacco) still applies.

The introduction of the new fee follows a review by Booker of its delivery service and its cost to serve.

Booker said it had no option but to introduce a delivery fee. It added that to help maximise accuracy and availability for customers, it was changing the cut-off time to place orders to 9am for next-day delivery. This new time will apply to all delivered customers.

A spokesperson for the C&C/wholesaler commented: “We take these changes very seriously and regrettably have been forced to take this difficult decision due to rising costs.”