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

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

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.

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.

The guardians of Alliance Boots' pension scheme struck a funding deal with the group's private equity buyers today, breaking the deadlock that threatened the £11.1bn (€16.46bn) sale of the healthcare giant.

The guardians of Alliance Boots’ pension scheme struck a funding deal with the group’s private equity buyers today, breaking the deadlock that threatened the £11.1bn (€16.4bn) sale of the healthcare giant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A bidding war for Alliance Boots broke out today after two private equity groups went head to head in a takeover tussle to snap up the health and beauty giant.

Health and beauty giant Alliance Boots today backed a £10.6bn (€15.6bn) takeover by its deputy chairman Stefano Pessina and private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

Fresh takeover talk in the retail sector lifted B&Q owner Kingfisher by more than 2% today, while Alliance Boots was also on the up following developments in its buyout saga.

Alliance Boots, the retail and wholesale drug group being eyed for takeover by private equity bidders, announced a raft of changes today that will see hundreds of jobs cut and its pharmacies rebranded in a £65m (€95.6m) million makeover.

TERRA FIRMA is considering a bid for Alliance Boots, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday, confirming a report that the private equity firm had spoken to banks about an approach.

Healthcare retailer and pharmaceutical giant Alliance Boots is reportedly being eyed for a potential takeover by private equity firm Terra Firma in a move which could spark an all-out bidding war for the group, a report said today.

Alliance Boots shares were trading above £10 today as investors suspected that bidder Stefano Pessina will need to increase his proposed offer price.

BILLIONAIRE Stefano Pessina looks poised for an early breakthrough in his surprise £9.7 billion (€14.3bn) attempt to take Alliance Boots private.

The storm over the power of private equity funds is set to reignite with the news of a possible takeover of high street chain Boots.

Boots and Alliance UniChem were said today to be finalising the creation of a £7bn (€10.3bn) pharmacy giant as fears grew that a deal could result in job losses.