Booker Cash & Carry
The Group is the UK's largest cash and carry operators, offering branded and private-label goods which are sold to over 481,000 customers including independent convenience stores, grocers, leisure outlets, pubs and restaurants. The Group currently lists circa 18,000 product lines, comprising an extensive range of branded and own label grocery, fresh and frozen food, beers, wines, spirits, tobacco and non-food items. In the year ended 30 March 2012, sales totalling £2.8 billion were collected by the customer from the group’s branches and sales totalling £1.1 billion were delivered to the Group’s customer premises.
In June 2010 and June 2011, the Company was awarded "Wholesaler of the Year" by The Grocer magazine.
The Group currently trades from 172 branches in the UK. The average size of these branches is approximately 47,000 sq ft, although the Group has four branches over 100,000 sq ft and 12 branches under 20,000 sq ft. In January 2008 the Group launched free delivery services which are available from 163 branches. All branch staff have been trained on ‘PRIDE’, focusing on improving the parking, reception, internal, delivery and exit experience for customers.
Booker Direct
Booker Direct is the Group’s delivered wholesale business which continues to deliver year on year growth. Booker's delivered wholesale offering has been further enhanced by the recent acquisitions of Ritter-Courivaud Ltd and the trading business and assets of Classic Drinks Limited
We have become the largest supplier of food and drink to the UK’s cinema industry with customers including Vue, Odeon UCI, Picturehouse, Apollo, Empire, Reel and Showcase. In partnership with DHL we also hold the contract to supply HM Prisons in England and Wales. Other notable accounts include Marks & Spencer and NAAFI as well as the more recent additions of SSP, HMV & WH Smith Travel. We also hold preferred food supplier status for a number of Pub Groups including S&N Pub Enterprises, Charles Wells, Frederic Robinson, Enterprise Inns & Admiral Taverns together with supply arrangements for SNPE, Aramark & Craegmoor Healthcare.
Ritter-Courivaud Limited
Acquired by the Group in October 2010, Ritter is a specialist fine foods supplier to leading restaurants, hotels and contract caterers throughout the UK. Its extensive product range, sourced from around the world, includes caviar, charcuterie and truffles. Ritter are also specialists in patisserie ingredients as well as being a supplier of everyday ingredients used in some of the finest restaurants in the UK.
Classic Drinks
Acquired in October 2010, Classic Drinks, which operates from eight depots within the Midlands & North of England, is a specialist "on-trade" wholesaler supplying wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks to pubs, clubs and licensed premises.
Operating as part of Booker Direct, Ritter-Courivaud Limited and Classic Drinks will support the businesses continued development within the delivered wholesale arena complimenting Booker's overall offering to caterers in the UK.
Premier
Premier is the third largest symbol group in the UK, with over 2,700 stores nationwide. Operated by Booker, the leading cash & carry wholesaler, all Premier stores are independently owned by retailers who are dedicated to serving their local communities. Premier stores always offers great value for money and a wide range of products in a fresh, modern environment.
Premier was founded in 1994 to offer independent retailers a symbol group, where they remain in complete control of their business. The company’s individual approach providing a professional image and no membership costs was welcomed by retailers and continues to go from strength to strength.
From a steady base, Premier’s rapid growth over recent years has seen the symbol group become a major force in the convenience sector. Now fully accredited, recognised by the Institute of Grocery Distribution, it continues to grow with over two thousands independent retailers benefiting from Premier’s no cost approach.
Chef Direct
Chef Direct is Booker’s dedicated delivered foodservice business. Chef Direct's target market is medium to large multiple catering chains, and was created in response to customer demand. Their feedback told us that they were looking for great choice, better value and an outstanding service.
Chef Direct combines Booker Wholesale’s scale, with Booker Direct's award winning logistics capability and Ritter Courivaud's catering and speciality foods expertise. The business is based in the state of the art 250k sq ft distribution centre at Didcot. New account wins include Angus Steakhouse, Aramark, Loch Fyne and Revolution Bars