Boots to Close 300 Stores but Sales Surge Due to Brands and Online Purchases
- Boots reported a 13.4% increase in retail sales for the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year, driven largely by online shopping and sales of Boots' own brands.
- Boots' own-brand "Everyday" label saw a 40% increase in volume and beauty product sales rose 18%, especially for skincare items.
- Boots' pharmacy business grew 5.7% due to demand for products like hay fever medicines and aloe vera gel.
- Despite the sales increase, Boots plans to close 300 stores over the next year, reducing its locations from 2,200 to 1,900, though employees at closing stores will be moved to other locations.
- The closures will impact stores located close together, allowing Boots to consolidate while maintaining its overall presence in local communities.
Evening Standard 
