Boots turns in strong Irish Christmas sales

Boots the Chemists today said its Irish stores have turned in a solid Christmas performance, with strong growth in both health and beauty. Boots currently has 32 stores in Ireland, employing 1,200.

In a trading statement today, Boots said overall group sales for the third quarter ended 31 December 2003 were up by 5.2% from good growth in Boots the Chemists and continuing strong growth in Boots Healthcare International.

Deirdre Burns, Boots marketing manager in Ireland commented: "We had a fantastic Christmas with our widest range of gifts and strongest offers ever.

"Customers' responses have been enthusiastic and this has been reflected in our sales. Liffey Valley was one of the top performing stores for the Boots Company over the Christmas period."

Yesterday, the health and beauty giant said it was to axe 900 head office jobs in Nottingham. The group said they were facing greater competition from cut-price supermarkets such as Asda.