In its first set of trading results under the Tesco regime, Booker produced sales 14.3% higher in the 13 weeks to 26 May.

Without the inclusion of tobacco, the growth was 12.4%, driven by “a strong underlying performance” plus new business gains.

There has been a “positive initial response” to the Chef Central store in Cambridge.

Tesco chief executive David Lewis reported that there had been a “positive initial response” to the Chef Central store unveiled in Cambridge in conjunction with Booker; a similar concept is now being trialled within Tesco’s branch in Beckton, east London.

“We have also extended the two-store trial of the top 30 selling Booker lines,” said Lewis. “A similar range is being rolled out to more than 50 Tesco stores.

“In May we introduced 3,000 Booker lines into our Magor (South Wales) distribution centre, utilising spare capacity and enabling us to reduce the lead time on orders for Booker customers across the south-west.

“Our Middleton distribution centre will also support growth in Booker during the busy summer period.”

Tel: Booker (01933) 371000