Profits at Boots Ireland up 44%

THE expanding Irish arm of British pharmaceutical retail giant Boots last year increased its pre-tax profits by 44% to €15.9 million.

Returns made to the Companies Registration Office show that Boots Retail (Ireland) Ltd increased the size of its business by 0.6% to €267.2m from €265.6m in the 12 months to the end of March 31 last year.

At year’s end, Boots Ireland operated 58 shops and, according to the directors’ report attached to the accounts, “dispensing revenue increased ahead of the market and retail revenue growth was depressed as difficult trading conditions continue to impact consumer spending”.