Boots owner ‘closing in on sale to Canada’s Weston family for $9bn’
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is reportedly in advanced talks to sell the pharmacy chain Boots to the Canadian Weston family for $9 billion. This deal would mark the Weston family's return to the UK high street following their sale of Selfridges.
Why it matters
The sale represents a major shift in ownership for a significant UK retail employer and highlights ongoing consolidation in the pharmacy and retail sectors.
Boots has 1,800 stores across the UK and employs about 51,000 people. Boots has 1,800 stores across the UK and employs about 51,000 people. Boots Boots owner ‘closing in on sale to Canada’s Weston family for $9bn’ Deal would mark return of Canadian family to UK after it sold Selfridges department store for £4bn in 2022
Prefer the Guardian on Google The private equity owner of high street pharmacy Boots is reportedly closing in on a deal to sell the business to the Canadian branch of the billionaire Weston family for $9bn (£7bn).
Sycamore Partners, which bought the wider Walgreens Boots Alliance for $23.7bn in 2025, is said to be in advanced talks with the Westons, with the Financial Times reporting that a deal could be completed as soon as next week.
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