Boots confirms plans to close 200 stores

Boots has confirmed it is set to close 200 high street stores saying “it is the right thing to do” for the future of the company.

The firm says that pharmacy stores where there is another store nearby will be affected, although most staff won’t be affected as they will be redeployed.

Boots owns almost 2,500 stores across the UK, employing around 56,000 people.

The company says it is now deciding on which stores to close.

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%.