Canada’s Weston family buys Boots for $8.9bn
The Weston family's Wittington Investments has acquired the UK pharmacy chain Boots for $8.9 billion. The deal includes Boots' UK and Irish retail operations, opticians, and the No7 beauty brand, with backing from the investment firm Fairfax.
Why it matters
This acquisition represents a significant consolidation in the retail pharmacy sector, shifting ownership of a major UK high street institution to Canadian interests.
Wittington Investments, the holding company of the Weston family that controls the Loblaws grocery chain and Drugmart pharmacies in Canada, will own Boots’ UK and Irish retail operations and opticians chain. Wittington Investments, the holding company of the Weston family that controls the Loblaws grocery chain and Drugmart pharmacies in Canada, will own Boots’ UK and Irish retail operations and opticians chain. Boots Canada’s Weston family buys Boots for $8.9bn Former Selfridges owners buy UK high street institution from long-term backer Stefano Pessina
Prefer the Guardian on Google The Canadian family that once owned Selfridges department store has bought the UK pharmacy and beauty retailer Boots for $8.9bn (£6.74bn).
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