Sales soar at off-the-market Boots

BOOTS has revealed a jump in sales just days after its US owner ditched plans to sell the business.

Walgreens Boots Alliance said purchases at the high street pharmacist grew 13.5 per cent in the three months to the end of May.

Soaring retail demand offset a pharmacy fall. Walgreens pulled its £8billion sale of the chain and its No7 beauty brand on Tuesday as suitors struggled to raise finance.

Boss Rosalind Brewer said yesterday: “I firmly believe our strategic actions are working to deliver longterm shareholder value.”