Boots market share growth continues in third quarter

Boots has recorded its 17th quarter of market share growth in a row as the UK retail chain increased sales 5% in its third quarter.

Like-for-like retail sales grew by 6% in the three months to 31 May, while pharmacy sales rose 5.4%.

Boots.com also boosted sales 14.8% in the quarter and now accounts for 17% of total retail sales. The business said the Boots app continued to drive a substantial portion of online sales.

Boots attributed growth in the quarter to the introduction of trending beauty brands, including the K-beauty ranges. It also expanded its wellness offer, adding nine new brands in the quarter, alongside new Boots brands: Modern Chemistry and Habi.

In pharmacy, sales growth was driven by a strong performance across private healthcare services.

Boots has undergone a turnaround over the past few years, led by MD Seb James, who stepped down from the role in November to be replaced by retail and operations director Anthony Hemmerdinger.

The UK business has not offered any commentary on the recent performance of the chain as parent group Walgreens Boots Alliance negotiated a $10bn takeover by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

The US group finally agreed to a deal in March, with the transaction expected to complete by the end of the year.

Sycamore is widely expected to either sell or spin off Boots at some stage in 2026.

Walgreens Boots increased sales in Q3 by 7.2% to $39bn, but operating profits more than halved year on year to $53m as a result of non-cash impairment charges for certain “long-lived assets”.

Adjusted operating profits for the international side of the group increased 22% to $214m thanks to the strong performance of Boots in the UK and market growth in Germany.