Boots hails strong fourth quarter and full year sales rise
Boots saw its comparable retail sales increase by 6.2% year-on-year in its fourth quarter with the growth spanning all categories.
The performance meant that sales climbed by 6.9% in its full year ending 31 August 2024.
Online sales were particularly strong with an uplift of 18.7% year-on-year to account for nearly 15% of total retail sales. Trading was boosted by the popularity of the Boots app which now has 7.5 million active users and contributes 40% of total digital sales.
The health and beauty retailer’s in-store growth was boosted by sales uplifts in destination health and beauty, convenience and flagship stores, as well as shops at airports.
Boots also benefited from a strong performance in its beauty category where sales increased by over 6% year-on-year. This came as the retailer introduced a number of trending and luxury brands, including TikTok sensation Made by Mitchell, Prada Beauty, Supergoop!, Floral Street and Laneige, to bring the total number of new beauty brands launched in the year to over 55.
Meanwhile, increased demand for both NHS and private healthcare services propelled pharmacy growth of 10% year-on-year, contributing to a 4.9% increase for the full year.
Seb James, managing director, Boots UK and ROI, said: “I’m delighted to close the year with such a strong set of results. We have delivered a fourteenth consecutive quarter of market share growth and are seeing positive momentum across the whole business, with healthcare now performing strongly alongside our innovative beauty business.
“As I prepare to hand the leadership baton over to Anthony, I am confident that I am leaving the business in a very solid position, well set up to continue delivering on its exciting transformation. It has been a privilege to lead this business over the last six years and I’m incredibly proud of our team members for everything they do to make Boots as relevant today as it was 175 years ago.”
Join us at The Retail Conference in London on 6 November. Retailers can find out more and secure free tickets here
