Boots Ireland delivers 10.4% growth

Boots Ireland's sales were up 10.4% in the year to March 31, the company said today. This contrasts with an overall group sales increase of 1.9%.

"Boots Ireland continues to perform ahead of target and is among the best-performing areas within Boots overall," a company spokesperson said today.

Rhys Iley, Director, Boots Ireland said: "We had a very strong Christmas and the final quarter of the financial year saw good like-for-like sales growth. The Irish stores performed particularly well in the healthcare, beauty, and toiletries categories with sales of cosmetics and fragrances products, for example, up 17% for the year."

Increased sales of almost 12% were also achieved in the photo category as more people printed their mobile phone pictures in equipment provided in the outlets.

Rhys Iley also confirmed the company’s intention to open at least 15 more stores over the next few years.

“Opening new stores in Ireland continues to be an important part of our growth strategy and we have an aggressive store opening programme in place over the next three years” he said.

Boots has traded in Ireland since 1996 and employs 1,200 people in its 40 stores.