Boots shop numbers set to double

BOOTS, the British healthcare and beauty retail giant, is aiming to nearly double the number of stores it operates in Ireland over the next three years and is looking to boost its pharmacy operations via acquisition.

The company currently has 55 stores in the Republic and later this week it opens its latest – and second-largest – on Cork’s Half Moon Street in a development described by Boots Ireland director Rhys Iley as the best-looking Boots store anywhere.

The new store officially opens on Thursday and in terms of the Irish portfolio is smaller only than the Boots outlet in Liffey Valley.