Reports warn of 200 Boots store closures

Up to 200 Boots stores could close after reports suggested its US owner was preparing to put struggling outlets under review.

Sky News says that Walgreen Boots Alliance (WBA) could close the Boots the Chemist stores over the next two years. The reports suggested that although a final figure had yet to be decided on, WBA confirmed that outlets would close due to the continuing woes on the High Street.

In April, WBA said that jobs could be under threat at high street pharmacy Boots after it experienced the “most difficult” quarter in its history.

Walgreen Boots Alliance said it would take “decisive steps” after sales at Boots’ UK stores fell by 2.3% over the quarter, compared to the same period last year. Overall, global turnover slumped by 23.3%.

Sky News says that staff affected would be offered jobs in other locations.