Health & Beauty Division

Alliance Boots, including our associates and joint ventures, has pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses in ten countries, each focused on helping people look and feel better.

Together with our associates and joint ventures, we operate more than 3,250* health and beauty retail stores, of which just under 3,150* have a pharmacy.  In Europe we are the clear market leader in pharmacy with stores in the UK, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy and Russia.  We also have pharmacies in Thailand and our associates and joint ventures operate pharmacies in Switzerland, China, Lithuania and Italy.  In addition, around 45 Boots stores operate on a franchised basis in the Middle East.

Our principal retail brand in the Health & Beauty Division is Boots, which we trade under in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Norway and Thailand and are trialling in The Netherlands.  The Boots offering is differentiated from that of competitors due to the product brands which we own and ’only at Boots‘ exclusive products, together with our long established reputation for trust and customer care.

Our stores are located in convenient locations and put the pharmacist at the heart of healthcare.  Our pharmacists are well placed to provide a significant role in the provision of healthcare services, working closely with other primary healthcare providers in the communities we serve.

In addition, Boots Opticians has around 670* optical practices in the UK, of which around 205* operate on a franchised basis.  

We recognise the special status of Boots as the UK’s most trusted pharmacy brand and continue to enhance our position as a leading provider of healthcare, beauty advice and services in local communities.  We do this through investment in existing stores, by expanding our store portfolio and enhancing our internet offering. 

* Figures stated are as at 31 March 2010 and are approximate.