Tesco’s Booker deal creates food giant
27th January 2017
UK: Tesco’s £3.7bn purchase of the Booker Group, owner of Budgens and Londis, has created the UK’s leading food business.
The Booker Group plc is the UK’s largest food wholesale operator, offering branded and private-label goods to over 400,000 customers, including independent convenience stores, grocers, pubs, and restaurants.
The Budgens and Londis grocery chains became part of Booker in May 2015 after the £40m acquisition of the Musgrave Group.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Dave Lewis, chief executive officer of Tesco, the world’s third largest retailer, said: “Tesco has made significant progress in turning around our UK retail business. This Merger with Booker will further enhance Tesco’s growth prospects by creating the UK’s leading food business with combined expertise in retail, wholesale, supply chain and digital. Wherever food is prepared and eaten – “in home” or “out of home” – we will meet this opportunity with the widest choice and best service available.”
