Boots UK saw growth in both pharmacy and retail sales in the three months to August 31, it has reported as its US parent company announced plans to axe over a thousand stores. 

In a statement this week, Boots declared a 6.2 per cent increase year-on-year in retail sales and a 10 per cent increase in pharmacy sales “largely driven by strong demand for NHS and private services” including over 150,000 Pharmacy First consultations during the quarter. 

Beauty sales were up six per cent compared to the same period in 2023, while digital sales were up by 18.7 per cent and now account for almost 15 per cent of all retail sales. 

Outgoing Boots UK managing director Seb James said: “I’m delighted to close the year with such a strong set of results. 

“We have delivered a fourteenth consecutive quarter of market share growth and are seeing positive momentum across the whole business, with healthcare now performing strongly alongside our innovative beauty business. 

“We’re laser focused on preparations for our peak trading period, with our Christmas gifting range landing in stores and Black Friday just around the corner.”

In a call with investors this week, Boots’ parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance announced plans to cull over a thousand stores from the US Walgreens estate. 

WBA chief executive Tim Wentworth said: “We have over 8,000 stores, of which the majority, approximately 6,000 are profitable. This solid base supports our conviction in a retail pharmacy-led model that is relevant to our consumers, and we intend to invest in these stores over the next several years.

“Part of the funding for this investment will come from accelerating the closure of underperforming stores. We expect to close approximately 1,200 of those over the next three years and reduce the fixed costs associated with them.

“Executing on this program will realign our footprint to a healthier store base that we believe will enable us to respond more dynamically to shifts in consumer behaviour and buying preferences.”