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Boots UK pharmacy sales increased 10.0% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with the same quarter in the last US fiscal year, according to documents filed by parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance up to 31 August 2024. It has also reported a 4.9% increase in sales across the full year.
This includes prescriptions dispensed and over-the-counter sales, as well as vaccines and pharmacist services.
In a statement published on 15 October 2024, Boots UK attributed the increase to several factors, including the launch of the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England.
Other contributors include “a record year for travel vaccinations and an ongoing uplift in Boots Online Doctor”, the statement said, with oral contraception, period delay, emergency contraception, weight management and erectile dysfunction services all experiencing increased demand.
It also launched its private COVID-19 vaccination service in April 2024.
Manmohan Mahajan, executive vice president and global chief financial officer of WBA, said during a presentation to investors that Boots UK “continues to perform well”.
Seb James, managing director of Boots UK and Republic of Ireland, commented: “I’m delighted to close the year with such a strong set of results.
“We have delivered a 14th consecutive quarter of market share growth and are seeing positive momentum across the whole business, with healthcare now performing strongly alongside our innovative beauty business.”
Alongside the financial results, Walgreens Boots Alliance announced a ‘footprint optimisation programme’ involving approximately 1,200 closures over the next three years in the United States.
The programme includes the 300 Boots UK pharmacy branches that were closed as part of previously announced plans to save US$800m.
The UK closure programme completed during the summer of 2024.
