Tesco wholesaler Booker has purchased Venus Wine & Spirits Merchants as the supermarket giant looks to expand its range of premium beer, wines and spirits.

The family-run company, which was sold to Booker for an undisclosed sum, will continue to operate under its existing brand while its 140 employees will transfer to the wholesaler, The Times reported.

Founded in 1975, Venus now boasts a selection of more than 4,000 spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks and supplies to pubs, restaurants and hotels from its distribution centres in Tottenham, Bristol and Leeds.

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Venus founder and former boss of Wine Rack Laki Christoforou told the publication: “This is an exciting opportunity for Venus to scale up and explore the growth potential across the UK. I am looking forward to working alongside Booker to realise the full potential that this partnership can bring.”

Booker, which was acquired by Tesco in 2017 for £3.7bn, has since become one of the grocer’s best-performing subsidiaries.

In the year to the end of February 2023, like for like sales increased 12% at the wholesale distributor to £8.7bn, of which £4.8bn was in retail, with the rest from sales to the catering trade.

The move into premium beverages comes as Co-op is also expanding its premium and world lager offer with over 50 new lines.

The changes, which are being rolled out to the convenience retailer’s 2,400 stores this month, include more choice and space dedicated to premium world beers in response to growing demand.