The parent company of Boots, Britain’s biggest high street chemist, is to explore a sale of the business next year that could value it at well over £5bn (Sky News). Walgreens Boots Alliance is lining up advisers to explore options including the sale of Boots, five years after it took full ownership of the UK retail pharmacy chain (The Financial Times £). The American owners of Boots are poised to launch an auction of the high street pharmacy valuing the business at more than £5bn (The Telegraph). A report that the American parent company of Boots is considering a sale of Britain’s biggest high street chemist gripped investors on Wall Street last night (The Times £).The parent company of Boots is reportedly looking into putting the UK’s high street chain of chemists on the market next year for an estimated £10bn (The Guardian).

Tesco shoppers face the prospect of empty supermarket shelves over Christmas, as warehouse and delivery workers strike over pay, the Unite union has warned (The Telegraph). Strike action at Tesco could lead to empty shelves in the run-up to Christmas, the Unite trade union has said, after its members voted to walk out unless they are offered a pay deal that keeps pace with inflation (The Guardian). Up to 1,200 workers at Tesco distribution centres across the UK are set to strike in the run-up to Christmas, the Unite union says (The BBC).

Inflation to rip as Omicron infects global supply chains - the new variant deals another blow to hopes of keeping prices down. Last week, the OECD, the influential Paris-based think tank, warned that the variant could create more supply disruption and prolong high inflation. (The Times £)

The CBI has cut its forecasts for economic growth thanks to costs and shortages over recent months - and warned that the emergence of the Omicron variant could see it dragged back further. (Sky News)

There are early signs the shortage of lorry drivers will improve, a trade association has said. Logistics UK, which represents freight and haulage businesses, said the number of drivers leaving the profession had begun to ease. (The BBC)

Upmarket Gail’s faces long journey in battle to become the new Pret. Critics argue the bakery’s reliance on a highly affluent urban customer base could hold back its attempts to rival the sandwich giant. (The Telegraph)

Ocado’s robot army marches to hungry customers - the pandemic has brought a greater focus to the original pacesetter in online grocery. Those warehouses are the key to Ocado Retail, the digital supermarket half-owned by Marks & Spencer that has found itself at the heart of a pandemic-driven boom in online grocery shopping. (The Times £)

The founder and co-chief executive of Gopuff, the US rapid grocery delivery company, is on a whistle-stop tour of London for its big British launch in 11 cities. Gopuff chief Yakir Gola predicts his £11 billion giant will crush its rivals. (The Times £)

Menulog has argued that existing employment law was not designed with on-demand delivery riders in mind, as it urges the Fair Work Commission to establish a new award as part of its push to become the first gig economy company to make its workers full employees. (The Guardian)

Pubs and hotels fear wave of Omicron cancellations. Hospitality was finding its feet. Then Omicron arrived. (The Times £)

Which? has saved you from another family argument this Christmas by analysing the contents of the most popular Christmas chocolate tubs, with one key finding: there are fewer of the most-prized sweets to start with. (The Guardian)

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