Boots struggles in UK: retailer responds to claims 200 stores could close

The firm has said it is reviewing its 2500 shop portfolio as part of the US parent company’s aim to cut 1 bn USD in costs worldwide, and may close up to 200 stores in the UK as a result in the next two years.

On top of this, as reported in the Guardian​, up to 350 jobs are already on the line at Boots’ Nottingham head office as part of cost-cutting plans at the chain, where pre-tax profits fell by £100m and sales fell by more than 2% to £6.8bn in the year to last August.

Not as bad as it seems?​

While many outlets have reported the potential store closures in the past few days, Boots has made efforts to downplay the potential impact of the portfolio review.

In a statement, a spokesperson from Boots explained: “We currently do not have a major programme envisaged, but as you’d expect we always review underperforming stores and seek out opportunities for consolidation.

“As is natural with a business of our size, we have stores opening, closing and relocating on a regular basis, but we have had around 2500 stores open for several years now.”

Indeed, the firm has made efforts to highlight ongoing investment into its stores, with a merchandising update of its self-selection cosmetics areas completed in 2200 stores last year.

It also plans to open a new flagship store in Covent Garden, London and reinvent its beauty business in 24 branches across the UK, as reported by Optometry Today​.

“We are being realistic about the future and that we will need to be agile to adapt to the changing landscape,” the spokesperson added.