Booker enables Amex card payments

Food and drink wholesaler Booker has strengthened its agreement with American Express to enable its hospitality customers to pay with American Express cards across its branches and online.

The move follows feedback from customers seeking greater choice and flexibility. Booker clients will now be able to earn American Express Membership Rewards points on their spending, which can be redeemed on travel, gift cards, retail purchases or statement credits. This is on top of Booker’s own Spend & Save rebate initiative.

The enhanced agreement follows the positive response from retailers and shoppers after the introduction of American Express acceptance across Booker’s symbol group retail estate. Budgens, Londis and Premier stores began accepting American Express as a payment method back in 2023.

Stuart Hyslop, chief operations officer at Booker, said: “Our customers regularly tell us they value flexibility and choice when it comes to making purchases. Expanding our partnership with American Express is a direct response to that feedback and gives customers another convenient way to pay, both in branch and online.

“We’ll continue to invest in initiatives that make it easier and more rewarding for foodservice operators, retailers and independent businesses to shop and work with Booker.”

Dan Edelman, general manager, UK merchant services at American Express, added: “American Express is now accepted for payment at more locations than ever before in the UK, and we’re committed to ensuring our cardmembers can use their American Express card at all the places they want to spend.

“We’re delighted that more Booker locations can now welcome the spending power of American Express cardmembers.”

In March, Booker invested £5m in its ‘Value Hero’ initiative for hospitality operators, which focuses on key profit-driving lines across multiple categories.

Last year, the wholesaler introduced its World Cuisines sub-brand, featuring Greek, Turkish, Italian, Indian, African-Caribbean and chicken shop products.

This followed Booker’s Venus Wine and Spirits Merchants division opening a distribution centre in Birmingham. The wholesaler acquired the drinks firm in 2024.