Weekly news summary 9th July 2015
HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
– MATTHEW CLARK CASHES IN ON PREMIUM WINE GROWTH
– BIDVEST FOODSERVICE SUPPORTS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
BOOKER GROUP HAILS STEADY FIRST QUARTER
Booker Group has announced a 0.4% increase in like for-like sales (including Makro) during the 12-week trading period to 19 July.
Total sales climbed by 0.2% versus the same period in 2014, with non-tobacco sales up by 0.7% and tobacco down by 0.9%. On a like-for-like basis, tobacco fell by the same percentage, while non tobacco rose by 1%.
Speaking at the group’s annual general meeting this week, chief executive Charles Wilson said the figures represented a “solid quarter”.
He added: “Customer satisfaction improved and performance was in line with expectations. We now have 11 combined Booker/Makro sites and these are working well.”
Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Classic, and Ritter also experienced a “good quarter”, while sales in India “continued to make progress”.
The revelations come less than two months after Booker agreed to purchase convenience and grocery chains Londis and Budgens respectively in a deal worth £40 million, subject to competition watchdog approval.
Tel: Booker Group (01933) 371000
MATTHEW CLARK BROADENS PREMIUM PORTFOLIO
Responding to consumer demand for high-quality wines, Matthew Clark has increased its range of premium varieties by adding more than 30 boutique producers from across the old and new world.
Premium still wine sales are up 10.7% on last year through the company’s customer base. The new wine menu includes a number of sauvignon blancs, which accounts for 43% of Matthew Clark’s still white wine sales, up 6% over the last 12 months.
New Zealand sauvignon has grown markedly in prestige hotels and gastro pubs, while the wine specialist’s French sauvignon blanc represents more than 32% of its French wine volume. Thirteen new boutique wineries have been added to the French offer, including a range from Burgundy.
The new list also features a selection of wines from diverse and lesser-known regions, such as Falanghina and a Fiano from Campania producer San Salvatore. This follows a 130% growth in its Campania wines during 2014.
Other countries supplying more wines to Matthew Clark include Australia, Argentina, United States, Spain, Hungary, Romania and the UK.
Tel: Matthew Clark (0844) 822 3910
BIDVEST FOODSERVICE STAGES SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS
Staff at 10 Bidvest Foodservice locations played an active part in last month’s World Environment Day (5 June) with ideas to reduce food waste and promote ‘positive environmental action’.
Events staged by the wholesaler included a takeaway meal service at the Nottingham depot, and an ‘A to Z of food storage’ devised by the Scarisbrook (Lancs) site. The Paddock Wood (Kent) depot also donated a hamper to the English Churches Housing Group, which provides support for the homeless and those on a low income.
Bidvest’s head of sustainability Shirley Duncalf said: “Sustainability is firmly embedded in our business and encouraging our depots to get involved in World Sustainability was part of this.
“Through their initiatives, our teams made great strides in boosting understanding and awareness of food waste within the business and local communities.”
Tel: Bidvest Foodservice (0370) 3663 000
Published Date: July 9, 2015
