Hospitality operators turn to discount wholesalers

Hospitality operators are increasingly turning to discount wholesalers such as Booker to cut costs, the company said today.

Unveiling a pre-tax profit rise of 30% from £36.2m to £47.2m in the year to March 27, Booker said sales to caterers – including restaurants and pub chains - had grown the fastest, rising 7% compared with 1% growth in sales to retailers. Overall, revenue increased 3% to £3.2b.

Jonathan Prentis, chief financial officer at Booker, said: “It’s tough out there for catering. Pubs are closing each week and restaurants are having a hard time.

“When it’s tough, customers check who’s offering the best prices.”

Last October, Booker signed a deal to become the recommended food supplier for pub group Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises.

Under the deal, all 2,100 SNP&E licensees have access to their own transactional website, where products can be delivered in vehicles free of charge; their own dedicated telesales service plus the personal service at Booker’s 172 branches.

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By Daniel Thomas

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