Booker has unveiled initiatives designed to drive down prices, increase choice and improve services in its depots - starting with its catering customers.

In time for Christmas, the company has expanded its Booker Basics value range to 25 key lines. That, together with a programme of Booker Price Rollback offers just launched on 500 items, as well as fewer but better promotions, form part of its ongoing strategy to cut prices, it said.

It has added products to its Chef's Larder range for the foodservice sector and is offering a new range of keg beers to the on-trade at competitive rates.

Chief executive Charles Wilson said Booker had reduced its debt from £361m to £70m between September 2005 and this September. Availability was running consistently at 98%, which was the best level for four years, he added.

The wholesaler is more than halfway through the second stage of a three-pronged turnaround strategy launched last year.

Topics