Boots' health and beauty sales up 4.6%

High street pharmacist Boots today said strong sales of health and beauty products had helped lift like-for-like sales by 4.6% in the first quarter.

The company has been restructuring to concentrate on core businesses Boots the Chemist and Healthcare International, the division behind consumer brands including Nurofen, Strepsils and Clearasil.

In a trading statement ahead of its annual meeting, chief executive John McGrath said Boots was trading well and fully meeting his expectations.

He said: “We continue to see the positive effects of the improvements and investment we are making in the business. Boots Healthcare International is showing consistent good performance.”

Sales grew 4.7% at the chemist operation, with dispensing sales from the pharmacy counter up 8%, and 6% growth in cosmetics and perfumes.

Toiletries – boosted by Boots’ Lower Prices You’ll Love marketing campaign - also saw sales rise 5.2% on a like-for-like basis. Sales of Boots’ consumer brands were up 7.6% in the period.

The company’s expanded Sunshop sales of sun tan lotions and aftersun products saw good sales in the period thanks to hot weather in June, which also benefited sales of food.

But Boots said its photographic processing business continued to decline.

Later today Boots’ board will face shareholders at its annual meeting in London. The company has been under increasing pressure to improve performance as it faces tough competition from supermarket rivals.

Boots operates 30 stores in Ireland, with three more being built this year.