Alliance Boots today said it had signed contracts for the sale of almost all of the pharmacies it put up for sale in the wake of its £7bn (€10.5bn) merger.

Co-operative Group became the UK’s fourth largest pharmacy chain today after announcing deals to buy two regional chemist busineses.

The Co-operative Group expanded its funeralcare operations today after securing majority control of the UK’s fourth-largest player.

The Co-op is set to unveil a £66m (€100m) offer for convenience store business Londis in a bid to scupper a deal by Budgens owner Musgrave, it was reported today.