'Modernised' Boots posts healthy profit

High street giant Boots hailed the success of its modernising and cost-cutting drive today as it posted a 2.7% rise in annual profits to £544.6m (€817m) .

The health and beauty chain said it had been encouraged by trading after its core Boots The Chemist chain saw like-for-like sales growth of 3.9%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter it has delivered good growth.