Booker has posted a 5.6 per cent hike in total sales for the 16 weeks to 30 December, driven by a 17 per cent leap in sales of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Charles Wilson, chief executive, said: 'Our plans to focus, drive and broaden the group are on track and we are pleased to be developing Chef Direct.'
Chef Direct is a distribution service for foodservice businesses that is expected to begin operations in the summer.
Booker's full-year profit and net cash outlook remains in line with expectations and the firm is also set to continue its expansion in India early this year.
In August last year the firm, which operates more than 170 cash-and-carry wholesale outlets, launched a range of pre-packed and price-marked fresh produce for independent retailers featuring shelf-ready packaging and a guaranteed minimum of 30 per cent profit on return.
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