Boots unveiled its second major deal of the week today after raising £1.93bn (€2.8bn) from the sale of its business making Nurofen and Strepsils.

British retailer Boots has lined up a shortlist of six in the £1.2bn auction of its Nurofen-to-Clearasil business, it was reported today.

Boots put its business making Nurofen and Strepsils up for sale today as part of the latest attempts at restructuring the health and beauty chain.

BOOTS has made no decision about the introduction of Durex Play, a sex toy range, to its Irish chain, it said yesterday.

Pharmacy chain Boots said that like-for-like sales fourth quarter sales increased 4.6%, the seventh consecutive quarter of growth, and that it plans to invest £390m (€582.7) in its chemist stores this year and next year.

Boots the Chemists today said its Irish stores have turned in a solid Christmas performance, with strong growth in both health and beauty. Boots currently has 32 stores in Ireland, employing 1,200.

High street pharmacist Boots today said strong sales of health and beauty products had helped lift like-for-like sales by 4.6% in the first quarter.

Boots PLC, the health and beauty group, described as speculation a newspaper report claiming it is considering a bid for SSL International PLC, the maker of Durex condoms and Scholl foot care products.