Boots expected to close more than 300 stores across the UK over the next year

Boots is set to close more than 300 UK stores within the next year as part of plans to “consolidate” the business.

There is currently 2,200 branches of Boots dotted across the UK, with most towns and city centres being home to several in close proximity to each other.

But now, the retailer – which is owned by US giant Walgreens – is reportedly looking to scale things down and “consolidate” the business over the next 12 months.

Despite the pharmacy is revealing that its sales had jumped 13.4% in the last three months, thanks to “more customers shopping at Boots more often” and an “exceptional quarter” for its own brands, Boots is still set to reduce its number of stores.

According to the BBC, the number of UK stores will reduce to 1,900 after the move – which is said to be part of a wider “transformation plan” for the business.

The news that more than 300 UK Boots stores are set to close their doors over the next year comes after Walgreens notably cut 4,000 jobs at the chain back in 2020.

A number of shops were also closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting sales.

The company said it had seen a surge in people just shopping online and choosing own-brand labels as customers looked to save money in the current cost of living crisis.

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It’s believed there’ll be no redundancies made as part of the move, with staff reportedly to be offered roles at other nearby stores remaining open.

It’s not yet known which locations will be affected but change will be put into place over the next 12 months, the BBC reports.

Featured image – Boots