While we have continued to deliver a solid performance in recent years, despite challenging market conditions, we cannot be complacent and must be stronger and more agile going forward, to meet the fast changing expectations of our customers. — Simon Roberts, President of Boots
Founded in 1849, Boots is a traditional staple of the British high street and is the UK’s leading specialist health and beauty retailer. Boots operates 2,511 stores in the UK and Ireland with a total of 60,000 employees, and has a large number of outlets in the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; in Asia, including Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong; and in Canada.
Boots operates a multi-format strategy for its stores in the UK, with four main outlet types: local pharmacy healthcare-focused community stores; edge of town and high street health and beauty stores; flagship stores; and Boots airport stores, which are tailored to travellers. Smaller Boots stores carry a basic range of beauty brands and focus more on the convenience aspect, while the larger outlets and flagship stores also offer premium and niche brands and beauty halls with trained consultants.