Alliance Boots post higher profits

UK retailer and drugs wholesaler Alliance Boots today posted strong growth in annual sales and profits, despite a tough time for baby products and photography.

Sales rose by 15% to £20.2bn (€23.15bn) in the year to March 31 with underlying profits up by 14% to £1.05bn (€1.2bn), though most of the gains came from the pharmaceutical distribution side, where profits jumped by more a third to £320m (€366m).