Booker boosts symbol estate by 9% to almost 8,000 stores

Booker has increased its symbol estate by 9% to 7,969 stores over the past year.

All of its fascias expanded in store numbers, with Premier adding 411 stores to reach 4,760, spanning both standalone and forecourt stores.

Londis, meanwhile, grew by 151 to 2,465 overall. The wholesale giant relaunched the symbol group in February last year with a new store concept featuring a food-to-go Treat Shop and ‘beer cave’ called The Cooler.

Its other symbol group Budgens, which works with independent retailers including Noel Kavanagh and David Knight, added 23 stores, while Family Shopper welcomed 71 to its estate.

The wholesale giant said it was the symbol groups’ low-cost model, value promotions and exclusive products through its link with Tesco that drew in new retailers and encouraged existing partners to expand their businesses.

“Our symbol groups are a core part of our business and we’re delighted to have welcomed so many new retailers over the past 12 months – where we also saw Premier recognised as Symbol Group of the Year at The Grocer Gold Awards, for a third consecutive time,” said Booker Retail MD Colm Johnson.

“We’re always listening to our customers’ feedback, collaborating together to identify effective and budget-friendly solutions. Our store support team is the largest of its kind within the UK, ensuring our symbol brands always have someone to talk to and always have someone there to help.

“We’ll continue to champion our symbol groups and all independent retailers, and look forward to welcoming many more to the Booker family in 2025.”