Revamped Boots a hit with customers
Sales growth across quarter
Improvements to product ranges and store layout at Boots are proving popular with customers and helping the health & beauty retailer compete against increased competition.
Across the three months to the end of June, the increased emphasis put on stores by new chief executive Richard Baker helped drive total sales growth of 5.4 per cent in the Boots the Chemist chain, with like-for-like sales up 4.4 per cent.
Pharmacy dispensing sales grew by 7.3 per cent across the quarter, boosted by growth of Boots’ prescription collection service. Over the counter medicines grew 6.2 per cent.
[img r]bootsolaydisplay.jpg[/img]Toiletries sales grew by 3.5 per cent, reflecting the impact of the [i]Lower Prices You’ll Love [/i]marketing campaign and an improved promotional programme. Cosmetics and Fragrance sales grew by 6.2 per cent, benefiting from new self-selection cosmetics units in store.
In Boots lifestyle categories, the company said improving sales trends in baby products, following the introduction of wider ranges as well as the continuing success of the Shapers food range “were slightly offset by the ongoing impact of changes in the photo developing market.”
The Boots Healthcare International business saw sales growth across the quarter of 0.1 per cent in Sterling, and 3.5 per cent in local currency.
Baker said: “Continued growth in Boots The Chemists shows the positive response of customers to improving value and convenience on top of our existing strengths of great products and great people.
“We are also focused on improving our supply chain and store systems to continue delivering better store operations.”
