The expanding Irish arm of UK pharmaceutical retail giant Boots last year increased its pre-tax profits by 12% to €17.8m.

The largest pharmacy chain in the US swooped on high street chemist Boots yesterday as part of a shock £10bn (€12.4bn) takeover deal.

The largest pharmacy chain in the United States has swooped on high street chemist Boots as part of a multi-billion takeover deal.

Alliance Boots, owner of Europe’s biggest pharmacy chain, is looking to expand through partnership deals in Asia and Latin America, financed by its own cash flows, it said yesterday.

The owner of health chain Boots reported a strong Christmas today driven by sales of beauty and cosmetic gift sets.

THE expanding Irish arm of British pharmaceutical retail giant Boots last year increased its pre-tax profits by 44% to €15.9 million.

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.

London: Health and beauty chain Alliance Boots has announced the shock resignation of boss Andy Hornby after less than two years in the role.

Health and beauty chain Alliance Boots has announced the shock resignation of boss Andy Hornby after less than two years in the role.

WEAK market conditions in the market hindered the first-half trading performance of healthcare retailer Boots, according to its parent company.

The former boss of rescued bank HBOS earned more than £2m (€2.28m) in pay and benefits for just nine months in his new job heading high street giant Alliance Boots, it emerged today.

IRELAND was the only blot in a record fiscal year for international pharmacy and beauty products chain Boots, but it still has plans to expand here.

High street giant Alliance Boots today pushed profits above £1bn (€1.17bn) for the first time and mapped out future growth plans despite “challenging” conditions.

High street retailers Mothercare and Boots today announced a deal to collaborate on an exclusive range of clothing and accessories to be sold through Boots stores.

Demand for anti-ageing creams today helped Alliance Boots report a surge in sales growth at its health and beauty arm.

The former chief executive of Alliance Boots, Richard Baker, has been appointed as an operating partner at private equity firm Advent International.

BRITISH American Tobacco’s decision to appoint the former governor of the Bank of Ireland, Richard Burrows, as chairman of the world’s second largest cigarette manufacturer could get a hostile reception from the markets.

Alliance Boots today said demand for its skincare ranges helped boost UK sales despite a “difficult” retail environment.

Boots Opticians is to merge with Dollond & Aitchison, the high street retail chain said today.

The billionaire boss of Alliance Boots today described trading as “relatively resilient” after first half revenues rose by 11.3% on a year earlier.

The billionaire boss of Alliance Boots gave an upbeat assessment on trading today after revealing a 20% jump in profits for the healthcare group.

The billionaire Alliance Boots boss who helped take the high street giant private for £11.1bn (€13.9bn) will not take any cash out of the business for two years, it emerged today.

The new owners of Boots, Stefano Pessina and private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, today said the group was trading "well ahead" of expectations after being taken private for £11.1 billion in July.

The Qatar-backed fund circling UK retailer Sainsbury's said today that it was holding formal talks with the supermarket's pension fund guardians as it prepares a possible £10.6bn (€15.1bn) bid for the chain.

Cadbury Schweppes’ £8bn (€11bn) sale of its US drinks business could be under threat as bidders struggle to raise debt in tightening credit markets, it was reported today.

Financier Guy Hands came a step closer to landing music group EMI today after US company Warner Music ruled out a bid for the firm.

Alliance Boots chief executive Richard Baker quit the healthcare giant today as the company’s new owners announced a management overhaul.

SHARES in CRH surged as much as 5% yesterday as speculation mounted that the building materials giant could be a takeover target.

Alliance Boots' private equity buyers Kohlberg Kravis Roberts are preparing to meet the group's pension fund trustees in a bid to end the row that threatens to derail the £11.1bn (€16.4bn) takeover.

The guardian of the Boots pension fund attacked the company today for backing a £11.1bn (€16.3bn) takeover before agreement had been reached on funding for future retirement benefits.

Alliance Boots’ shareholders will cast their votes today on the recommended £11.1bn (€16.3bn) takeover of the group by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and deputy chairman Stefano Pessina.

HeidelbergCement’s bid for Hanson is set to result in the last UK-owned major building materials firm falling into foreign hands.

Shareholders in the world’s largest catering group Compass are to receive a £1bn (€1.5bn) pay-out following the sale of the company’s European vending business, it emerged today.

The group set to buy health and beauty giant Alliance Boots is understood to be at loggerheads with the firm’s pension trustees after offering far less than the £400m (€587m) demanded upfront, according to a newspaper report today.

UK union leaders attacked a £6.5m (€9.58m) windfall today after it was revealed that the boss of Alliance Boots will net the multi-million payout following the sale of the retail and pharmaceutical giant.

British Boots stores are bracing themselves for a rush today when they restock shelves with a hugely popular anti-ageing cream.

Alliance Boots said today it was in good shape after its UK health and beauty business increased profits for the first time in five years.

The battle for retailing giant Alliance Boots looked over today after private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts floored its rival with an £11bn (€16.2bn) bid.

Yell lost £800m of its market value today after warning that its Yellow Book business in United States faced intense competition.

One of the private equity firms circling retailer Alliance Boots today improved its takeover offer price to just over £11bn (€16.2bn).

It was an eventful week for London’s leading shares after takeover activity propelled the FTSE 100 Index over the 6500 level on Monday for the first time since November 2000.

The likely private equity takeover of Alliance Boots will probably lead to “opportunistic financial rape”, a retail expert has said.

A surge in shares in Alliance Boots fuelled an advance for the London market today as investors jumped on the stock after a bidding war for the pharmacy and retail giant erupted in the City.