Boots reports a solid Irish performance

Pharmacy chain Boots has said its Irish stores have turned in a solid performance with strong growth in both health and beauty.

The chemist announced its fourth quarter trading update today and said that sales have grown an estimated 4% from last year with group pre-tax profits for the year expected to be in line with market expectations.

The company said that the Irish stores turned in a solid performance with strong growth in both health and beauty.

Boots now has 33 stores in Ireland, with the opening of a new store in Naas, Co Kildare today. The chemist intends to open a further 12 new outlets in Ireland over the next three years.

This represents a €43m investment by the company.

Boots employs over 1,200 people in Ireland and it is expected to increase this to 1,500 people following the opening of the new stores.

Boots contributes €165m to the Irish economy through the sourcing of goods and services for its Irish and UK businesses.