Booker helps lift Tesco as sales growth continues

Tesco has delivered its tenth consecutive quarter of sales growth, boosted by its recent acquisition of wholesaler Booker.

The group’s like-for-like sales were up 1.8 per cent for the 13 weeks to 26 May, with comparable sales rising by 3.5 per cent in the UK and Ireland.

Tesco’s UK supermarket sales rose 2.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis, while Booker’s sales, including tobacco, jumped 14.3 per cent over the period.

Chief executive Dave Lewis said: “Our growth plans are on track and we are pleased with the momentum in the business.

“We remain well-placed to serve our customers better and deliver on our mediumterm financial ambitions.”

Tesco, which faces a threat to its market leading status from the proposed merger of Sainsbury’s and Asda, finalised its £3.7 billion acquisition of Booker earlier this year, and the group has been moving quickly to integrate the two businesses.

Supermarket says it is well-placed to serve its customers and deliver on its financial ambitions