View source for Booths

{{Short description|High-end supermarket chain in Northern England}}
{{about|Booths Supermarkets|3=Booth (disambiguation)|4=other uses|5=Booth (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = E. H. Booth & Co., Limited
| logo = Booths logo.svg
| image = E. H. Booths Poulton 2024.jpg
| image_caption = Booths at [[Poulton-le-Fylde]], [[Lancashire]], 2024
| trading_name = Booths
| type = [[Privately held company|Private limited company]]
| traded_as = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| founder = [[Edwin Henry Booth]]
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| fate = 
| area_served = {{Ubl
| [[Cumbria]]
| [[Lancashire]]
| [[Yorkshire]]
| [[Cheshire]]
}}
| key_people = {{Ubl
| [[Edwin J. Booth]] (Executive Chairman)
| Nigel Murray (Managing Director)
| Ross Faith (Finance Director)
| Rebecca Hardman (Head of HR)
| John Gill (Head of Commercial Operations & Marketing)<ref name="AA">E.H. Booth & Co. Ltd., ''Directors' Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 28 March 2015'', approved 31 July 2015</ref>
}}
| industry = High-end supermarket
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| products = Food, beverage & tobacco retailing
| services = 
| revenue = {{increase}} £318.65m (2024)<ref name="AA24">E.H. Booth & Co. Ltd., ''Directors' Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 28 March 2024'', approved 3 July 2024</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} £3.15m (2024)<ref name="AA24" />
| net_income = {{increase}} £(1.73m) (2024)<ref name="AA24" />
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = Booth Family and staff
| num_employees = {{increase}} 3,242<ref name="AA24" />
| parent = 
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| homepage = {{URL|booths.co.uk}}
| footnotes = 
| foundation = {{Ubl
| 1847<ref name="Baren">{{cite book |title=How it all began in Lancashire |last=Baren |first=Maurice |publisher=Dalesman Publishing Company Ltd |location=Skipton, North Yorkshire |year=1999 |isbn=978-1-85568-165-1 |oclc=223029083 }}</ref>
| 1896 (incorporated)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
}}
| location_city = 
| location_country = England, UK<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| location = [[Ribbleton]], [[Preston, Lancashire]]
| locations = {{decrease}} 26 retail stores in [[Northern England]]
}}

'''E. H. Booth & Co., Limited''',<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1896-10-31 |title=E.H.Booth & Co., Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00049933 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=[[Companies House]]}}</ref> [[trading as]] '''Booths''', is a chain of high-end supermarkets in [[Northern England]]. Most of its branches are in [[Lancashire]], but there are also branches in [[Cheshire]], [[Cumbria]], [[North Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]]. It has been described as the "[[Waitrose]] of the North" by sources such as ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11392995/Waitrose-of-the-North-names-new-chief-executive.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |title='Waitrose of the North' names new chief executive |last=Ruddick|first=Graham|date=5 February 2015 }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Booths Central Office - geograph.org.uk - 1369512.jpg|thumb|Booths Central Office, [[Ribbleton]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]]]
'''E. H. Booth & Co. Ltd''' was founded in June 1847 when 19-year-old tea dealer [[Edwin Henry Booth]] opened a shop called the China House in [[Blackpool]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orders.booths.co.uk/about-us|work=Booths |title=About Us|date=18 January 2021 }}</ref> In 1863, he added the sale of wines and spirits, and branches were opened in [[Lytham St Annes#Lytham|Lytham]] in 1879 and [[Blackburn]] in 1884. The business was incorporated as a private [[limited company]] in 1896.<ref name="Baren" />

Edwin's son, John, opened cafes in the stores in 1902 and invited all staff to become shareholders in 1920.<ref name="about">{{cite web|title=About us |url=http://www.booths-supermarkets.co.uk/about-us |work=Booths |access-date=31 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301054425/http://www.booths-supermarkets.co.uk/about-us |archive-date=1 March 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> It has remained owned by the Booth family and staff ever since, comprising over 250 shareholders in 2011 and with no individual having more than 12% of the total shares.<ref>{{cite book |title=E.H. Booth & Co. Ltd. AR01 Annual Return |date=3 October 2011 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00049933/filing-history/MzA0NTc5MzMxOGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House}}</ref> The current chairman, [[Edwin J. Booth]], is the fifth generation.

In June 2005, the current chairman, Edwin J Booth, was awarded the [[Business in the Community]] (BITC) [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]] Ambassador Award for North West England.<ref name=lep>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashirelep.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-board/edwin-booth,-chairman.aspx|title=Lancashire Enterprise Partnership - Edwin Booth, Chairman|website=www.lancashirelep.co.uk|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319003903/http://www.lancashirelep.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-board/edwin-booth,-chairman.aspx|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This is given to individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business practice and the actions they have taken personally have created a positive impact both inside their company and on the wider society. He was also finalist for the [[Ernst & Young]] Master Entrepreneur of the Year (North).<ref name=lep/>

In 2006, Booths achieved second place in the list of the World's Greatest Food Retailers.<ref>[https://archive.today/20110713004718/http://www.igd.com/analysis/channel/news_hub.asp?channelid=1&channelitemid=117&nidp=&nid=3520 IGD Retail Analysis – Booths News – Booths Christmas results: another success for the top-end<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The panel of top designers, architects, analysts, journalists, suppliers and retailers was brought together by national trade publication, ''[[The Grocer]]'', and asked to rank their favourite food retailers from anywhere in the world. They were impressed by the quality of the company's offer, its focus on local sourcing and head for innovation. Simon Bell, retail director of foodservice firm Leathams, voted Booths' Chorley store first above [[Selfridges]] in London. He applauds its excellent customer service, knowledge of products and friendly staff.<ref>[http://www.booths-supermarkets.co.uk/news.html Booths Supermarkets – News<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530135640/http://www.booths-supermarkets.co.uk/news.html |date=30 May 2008}}</ref>

A new head office was opened in early 2006 in [[Ribbleton]], Preston and includes environmentally friendly features, such as using rainwater to flush the toilets. In 2011, Booths opened two new stores in [[MediaCityUK]], [[City of Salford|Salford]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/287583-dee-light-as-booths-promote-to-board.html?news_section=4168# |title=Dee-light as Booths promote to board| date=24 February 2012 |publisher=Thebusinessdesk.com |access-date=19 March 2012 }}</ref> and [[Penrith, Cumbria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/business/cumbrian-town-centre-urged-to-cash-in-on-shopping-boom-1.931229?referrerPath=home|title=Cumbrian town centre|date=5 March 2012|publisher=news & star|access-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044639/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/business/cumbrian-town-centre-urged-to-cash-in-on-shopping-boom-1.931229?referrerPath=home|archive-date=29 November 2014|df=dmy}}</ref> A new Booths store in [[Milnthorpe]] opened on 14 November 2012 and one in [[Barrowford]] opened on 4 December 2014. A branch opened in July 2015 in [[Burscough]], followed by a store in [[Lytham St Annes#St Annes|St Annes]] in September and the [[Poulton-le-Fylde]] store was renovated.

In a feature article in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2008, David Webster, the former chairman and co-founder of Britain's [[Safeway (UK)|Safeway]] chain (which had sold out to [[Morrisons]] in 2004), said that he had tried to buy out Booths several times over the years, as did several of his rivals: "One thought Booths would have disappeared ages ago but it jolly well hasn't. It is obviously doing an outstanding job for its customers".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Butler|first=Sarah|date=2008-07-06|title=Sarah Butler on Booths, the thinking person's retailer |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/07/supermarkets.ethicalbusiness1 |access-date=2020-08-11 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2008, Booths was under pressure by Waitrose with rumours of a takeover,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/waitrose-booths-alliance-is-not-prelude-to-merger/193442.article |work=[[The Grocer]] |title=Waitrose, Booths Alliance 'is not prelude to merger' |first=Chloe |last=Smith |date=27 September 2008 |publisher=William Reed Business Media |issn=0017-4351}}</ref> which was later ruled out. Booths and Waitrose then formed a buying group together.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.retail-week.com/waitrose-and-booths-create-buying-alliance/1867448.article |work=[[Retail Week]] |publisher=Ascential Information Services |title=Waitrose and Booths create buying alliance |date=22 September 2008 |first=George |last=MacDonald |url-access=subscription |issn=1360-8215}}</ref>

Booths commissioned [[Small World Consulting]] to research its [[carbon footprint]] and the resulting report was published in 2012.<ref name="footprint">{{cite web |title=The greenhouse gas footprint of Booths |url=https://www.booths.co.uk/wp-content/themes/booths/images/Booths%20GHG%20Report%202012%20Final.pdf |publisher=Small World Consulting |access-date=25 January 2019 |date=26 September 2012}}</ref>

In 2015, Booths was named Independent Retail Chain of the Year at [[The Grocer|The Grocer Gold Awards]]. As of 11 October 2017, [[Amazon Fresh]] sells a range of Booths branded products for home delivery in selected areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/11/booths-teams-amazon-sell-south-first-time/ |title=Booths teams up with Amazon to sell down South for the first time |date=11 October 2017| work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|access-date=11 October 2017 |last1=Armstrong |first1=Ashley }}</ref>

In November 2017, it was reported that the supermarket had been put up for sale for between £130m and £150m,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/nov/26/grocer-booths-up-for-sale-says-report-supermarket-chain|title=Grocer Booths up for sale for between £130m-£150m, says report|first=Richard|last=Partington|date=26 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> but this was later dismissed as "speculation" by the firm.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/15693313.Reports_of_potential_Booths_sale_dismissed_as_speculation/|title=Reports of potential Booths sale dismissed as speculation| work=Westmorland Gazette |date=4 December 2017 |last=Bent |first=Lloyd |access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref>

In the [[2019 Birthday Honours]], Booths' executive chairman Edwin J. Booth was appointed [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] "for services to business and to charity".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=62507 |date=29 December 2018 |page=N8 |supp=y }}</ref>

In 2021, it was confirmed that the [[MediaCityUK]] branch was to close within months due to the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. After 10 years, it closed for trade in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Oldfield |first=Paige |date=9 January 2021 |title=Booths Media City store to shut, supermarket chain confirms |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/salford-media-city-booths-closing-19593862 |website=[[Manchester Evening News]]}}</ref>

In April 2024, their [[Hale Barns]] store closed after nine years, ending their presence in [[Greater Manchester]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Prior |first=David |date=13 March 2024 |title=Booths confirms closing date for Hale Barns store |url=https://altrincham.todaynews.co.uk/shops-and-markets/2024/03/13/booths-confirms-closing-date-for-hale-barns-store/ |website=Altrincham Today}}</ref>

In July 2025, their [[Ripon]] store closed after sixteen years, bringing the total number of Booths stores to 26.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Stephen |date=4 June 2025 |title=Booths rues 'significantly increased costs' for latest store closure |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/booths-rues-significantly-increased-costs-for-latest-store-closure/705256.article |website=The Grocer}}</ref>

== Store list ==
There are 26 stores:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.booths.co.uk/stores/|title = Booths Supermarket Finder &#124; Booths Store Locator & Opening Times}}</ref>

=== Lancashire ===
{{div col}}
# [[Barrowford]]
# [[Burscough]]
# [[Carnforth]]
# [[Chorley]]
# [[Clitheroe]]
# [[Fulwood, Lancashire|Fulwood]], Preston
# [[Garstang]]
# [[Hesketh Bank]]
# [[Longridge]]
# [[Longton, Lancashire|Longton]], Preston
# [[Lytham]]
# [[Penwortham]]
# [[Poulton-le-Fylde]]
# [[Scotforth]], Lancaster
# [[Lytham St Annes#St Annes|St Annes]] (town centre shop closed but new, larger store opened)
# The Gallery Wine Bar at Lytham
{{div col end}}

=== Cumbria ===
[[File:Booths at Windermere Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 459996.jpg|thumb|right|Booths in [[Windermere, Cumbria (town)|Windermere]]]]
{{columns-list|colwidth=35em|
# [[Kendal]]
# [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]]
# [[Kirkby Lonsdale]]
# [[Milnthorpe]]
# [[Penrith, Cumbria|Penrith]]
# [[Ulverston]]
# [[Windermere, Cumbria (town)|Windermere]]
}}

=== Yorkshire ===
[[File:Booths Supermarket, Ilkley (geograph 2088948).jpg|thumb|right|Booths in [[Ilkley]]]]
# [[Ilkley]]
# [[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]]

=== Cheshire ===
# [[Knutsford]]

== Fair Milk ==
In May 2014, the store rebranded its own-label milk as Fair Milk, increasing its farm gate milk price to a yearly average of 34.4 pence per litre, and thus paying farmers more for their milk than any other UK supermarket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/fresh/booths-names-own-label-milk-fair-milk-and-raises-farmgate-price/357624.article |title=Booths names own-label milk 'Fair Milk' and raises farmgate price |work=[[The Grocer]] |access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Booths became a finalist in the Responsible Business Awards, organised by the charity [[Business in the Community]] (BITC), the UK's longest-running and most respected corporate responsibility awards. Booths was one of only four companies shortlisted in the Samworth Brothers Rural Action Award, which recognises businesses which support rural communities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/13321662.booths-shortlisted-as-a-finalist-in-the-responsible-business-awards/ |title=Booths shortlisted as a finalist in the Responsible Business Awards |last=Murphy |first=Tom |work=The Westmorland Gazette |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref>

== Café 1847 ==
The [[artisan#History|"artisan"]] speciality food shop and restaurant is a recent development by Booths. The first one was located at the Kendal store; its range is mainly local produce from small producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20041114/ai_n12763108 |title=FOOD & DRINK: Local heroes |date=14 November 2004 |last=Beckett |first=Simon |publisher=The Independent on Sunday |access-date=11 June 2008 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Lancashire}}
* [[List of supermarket chains in the United Kingdom]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Booths Supermarkets}}
* [https://www.booths.co.uk/ Booths Homepage]

{{UK supermarkets}}
{{City of Preston culture}}

[[Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1847]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1896]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies based in Preston]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1847]]