As of 28 February 2026, Boots UK reported operating more than 1,800 stores with a workforce exceeding 51,000 team members.[3]

The history of Boots began in 1849 in Nottingham. John Boot, a local businessman, opened a small herbalist shop on Goose Gate. His objective was notably progressive for the era: providing working-class people with an affordable alternative to conventional medicines.[4]

Initially, the business focused on herbal remedies, including roots, plants, and flowers. During this period, herbal medicine served as a vital alternative for those unable to afford standard medical treatments. This foundational emphasis on affordability and accessibility became a defining principle of the Boots brand.

The transformation of Boots into a major retailer is largely attributed to John Boot’s son, Jesse Boot. Following John Boot’s death, Jesse and his mother, Mary Boot, developed the business together. By 1877, Jesse had assumed sole control and initiated an aggressive expansion strategy.

A pivotal element of his strategy was selling medicines at significantly reduced prices while utilising advertising to reach a mass market. The company promoted the concept of “health for a shilling”, positioning Boots as a retailer for ordinary working people rather than exclusively for wealthy clientele.[5]

Jesse Boot’s approach combined several key elements:

• Affordable healthcare
• Mass retailing
• Standardised products
• Strong advertising
• Professional pharmacy services
• Convenient store locations
• Customer service

This combination facilitated the evolution of Boots from a traditional herbalist into a prototype of the modern pharmacy retailer.

In the late 19th century, Boots expanded its inventory beyond medicines to include:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Toiletries
• Cosmetics
• Perfumes
• Stationery
• Household products
• Health products
• Personal-care items

In 1892, Boots opened a large flagship store on Pelham Street in Nottingham. Designed similarly to a department store, it featured distinct sections for pharmacy, perfumery, stationery, and other merchandise.[6] This format established a model for future outlets, signalling that Boots was becoming a general health, beauty, and lifestyle retailer rather than merely a dispensary. This concept remains central to the brand’s identity today.

Boots developed significant scientific and manufacturing capabilities alongside its retail operations. In 1895, the company established an analytical chemistry function for quality control, ensuring products were tested before distribution.[7]

The company subsequently engaged in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. One of its most notable scientific achievements was the development of ibuprofen. A research team led by Dr Stewart Adams spent years investigating anti-inflammatory compounds, leading to the launch of ibuprofen in the UK as the prescription medicine Brufen in 1969.[8] Ibuprofen later became one of the world’s most widely used over-the-counter painkillers. This history underscores that Boots was historically involved in pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and scientific development, not just retail.

During World War II, Boots played a critical role in Britain’s pharmaceutical supply chain. In 1944, the company commenced large-scale production of penicillin for the British government. Its Nottingham manufacturing facility became one of the world’s largest antibiotic production sites at the time, reinforcing the company’s reputation for pharmaceutical and scientific capability.[9]

Boots expanded rapidly during the first half of the 20th century. A significant milestone occurred in 1933 with the opening of the 1,000th UK store in Galashiels, Scotland.[10] By the mid-1930s, Boots had become a substantial national retail organisation, serving millions of customers and dispensing millions of prescriptions annually. This cemented its status as a recognisable part of everyday British life.

While pharmacy remained central, beauty gradually emerged as a major business pillar. Boots launched No7 cosmetics in 1935, which became one of the company’s most enduring beauty brands.[11]

Over subsequent decades, the portfolio expanded to include:

• No7
• Soap & Glory
• Liz Earle
• Botanics
• Sleek MakeUP
• Aromatherapy Associates

This resulted in a distinctive business model integrating pharmacy, healthcare, beauty, and personal care.

Boots began international sales relatively early. Products were available in India by 1919, and the first overseas branch opened in New Zealand in 1936.[12]

Today, Boots operates directly in:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Thailand

It also maintains franchise operations in markets including parts of the Middle East and Indonesia.

A key development in modern retail strategy was the introduction of the Boots Advantage Card in 1997. This loyalty programme fostered closer customer relationships by rewarding purchases and encouraging repeat visits. It also marked a shift towards becoming a data-driven, multichannel retailer focused on customer loyalty.

The corporate structure underwent significant changes in the 2000s. In 2006, Boots Group merged with Alliance UniChem to form Alliance Boots. In 2012, American pharmacy retailer Walgreens acquired a 45% stake in Alliance Boots, completing the combination in 2014 to create Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). For the following decade, Boots operated as a primary brand within WBA.

On 28 August 2025, Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance. This transaction separated Walgreens from the former international businesses, establishing The Boots Group as a standalone private company.[9]

The new Boots Group comprises:

• Boots UK & Ireland
• Boots Opticians
• No7 Beauty Company
• Boots Thailand
• International Boots franchise operations
• Farmacias Benavides in Mexico
• Alliance Healthcare Germany
• Certain investments in China

Consequently, as of 2025, Boots is no longer owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance but is part of the independent The Boots Group.

As of 31 August 2025, The Boots Group operates across 11 countries with:[3]

• 3,776 retail stores
• 66,400+ employees
• £19.4 billion annual sales
• Headquarters in London

The group describes itself as a pharmacy-led health and beauty retail organisation combining three core areas:

Healthcare

Pharmacies, prescription services, healthcare advice, and community health services.

Beauty

Skincare, cosmetics, haircare, fragrances, and proprietary beauty brands.

Retail

Physical and online shopping integrating healthcare products with everyday personal care and wellness items.

The UK remains the heartland of the Boots brand. Describing itself as the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer, it operates 1,800+ stores ranging from community pharmacies to large-format health and beauty destinations.[15]

Large stores typically encompass multiple retail concepts:

Pharmacy → Healthcare → Skincare → Cosmetics → Haircare → Fragrance → Personal Care → Baby Care → Vitamins/Wellness → Everyday Essentials

This breadth characterises Boots as a health and beauty retailer rather than solely a pharmacy chain.

Boots has established a significant presence as a health and beauty retailer in Thailand. The Thai business operates branded retail stores and an online platform offering skincare, cosmetics, personal care, healthcare, vitamins, toiletries, beauty accessories, own-brand products, and international beauty brands.

The Boots Group’s 2025 report recorded 240+ stores in Thailand.[15] Boots Thailand also manages its own loyalty programme, promotions, e-commerce platform, and customer service infrastructure.

Boots functions as both a retailer and a brand owner. Key brands within the wider portfolio include:

No7

Arguably the most internationally recognisable Boots-originated beauty brand, No7 focuses on skincare, cosmetics, and anti-aging products, operating as a significant standalone beauty business.

Soap & Glory

A beauty and personal care brand distinguished by colourful packaging, distinctive naming conventions, and accessible pricing.

Botanics

A skincare line formulated around botanical and plant-derived ingredients.

Liz Earle

A British beauty and skincare brand associated with naturally inspired formulations and premium positioning.

Sleek MakeUP

A cosmetics brand known for makeup products and extensive shade ranges.

Aromatherapy Associates

A premium brand focused on skincare and aromatherapy.

The Boots Group states that its No7 Beauty Company manages a portfolio including No7, Liz Earle, Soap & Glory, Botanics, Sleek MakeUP, and Aromatherapy Associates.[16]

The Boots business model sits at the intersection of several industries:

1. Pharmacy: Traditional pharmacy services and prescription medicines.
2. Healthcare: Health advice and community health offerings.
3. Beauty: Skincare, makeup, fragrance, and beauty services.
4. Consumer Goods: Toiletries, personal care, baby products, and essentials.
5. Own-Brand Products: Proprietary brands allowing control over pricing and development.
6. Third-Party Brands: Retail distribution for external beauty and healthcare brands.
7. Digital Retail: Integration of physical stores with online shopping and digital services.

This mix positions Boots as a pharmacy-led health and beauty ecosystem rather than a conventional drugstore.

Historically, Boots has positioned itself around Health + Beauty + Accessibility. Jesse Boot’s original strategy aimed to make healthcare accessible to ordinary people; the modern brand has extended this to accessible beauty, wellness, and personal care.[17]

This heritage allows Boots to occupy a unique position where it can sell both prescription medicine and lipstick in the same retail environment, a defining characteristic of the brand.

Compared to supermarkets, Boots possesses deeper expertise in pharmacy and beauty. Compared to traditional pharmacies, it offers a broader beauty and consumer retail proposition. Compared to beauty retailers, it retains a stronger healthcare heritage.

The leadership structure changed in early 2026. Ornella Barra, who became CEO of The Boots Group in 2025, retired from the CEO role effective 9 February 2026 and became Chairperson of the Board. Anthony Hemmerdinger, previously SVP and Managing Director responsible for Boots UK, Ireland, and Opticians, assumed broader responsibilities including oversight of No7 Beauty Company and group-level functions.[13]

A distinction exists between Boots and The Boots Group:

• Boots: The consumer-facing health, pharmacy, and beauty brand.
• The Boots Group: The corporate entity owning and operating Boots alongside businesses such as No7 Beauty Company, Farmacias Benavides, Boots Opticians, and Alliance Healthcare Germany.[18]

This distinction became particularly relevant following the 2025 separation.

Boots has historically emphasised community healthcare and social responsibility, with employee welfare initiatives dating back to the late 19th century. More recently, the focus has expanded to environmental and social issues.

The newly independent Boots Group published its first ESG report in 2026, covering access to healthcare, healthier communities, workplace inclusion, environmental impact, emissions, product sustainability, and responsible business practices.[14]

[19]

Boots helped define the modern British pharmacy-retail model. Its history reflects major shifts in retail:

• 19th Century: Herbalist to affordable medicines.
• Early 20th Century: Pharmacy to national retail chain.
• Mid-20th Century: Pharmacy to scientific manufacturing and cosmetics.
• Late 20th Century: Chemist to health, beauty, and loyalty retail.
• 21st Century: Health & beauty stores to omnichannel healthcare and beauty platform.
• 2025 Onward: Walgreens Boots Alliance subsidiary to independent Boots Group.

Boots is a British pharmacy-led health, beauty, and wellness retailer founded by John Boot in Nottingham in 1849. Originally established as an affordable herbalist shop, the company was transformed by Jesse Boot into a mass-market pharmacy business emphasising accessible healthcare, professional pharmacy services, and competitive pricing. During the 20th century, Boots expanded into pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, cosmetics, and personal care, becoming one of Britain’s most recognisable retailers. Its history includes the development of No7 cosmetics, large-scale penicillin production during World War II, and the launch of ibuprofen as Brufen in 1969. After becoming part of Alliance Boots and subsequently Walgreens Boots Alliance, Boots entered a new corporate era in August 2025 when Sycamore Partners acquired WBA and the former international businesses were separated into The Boots Group, a private standalone company. Today, Boots remains particularly associated with pharmacy, healthcare, skincare, cosmetics, wellness, and everyday personal care, with a major presence in the UK as well as operations in Ireland and Thailand and franchise markets internationally.[20]

1. Boots Heritage
2. Boots UK – Company Information
3. The Boots Group Positioned For Growth As A Private Standalone Company Following Acquisition By Sycamore Partners
4. Financial Information
5. History of The Boots Group
6. Boots UK – A New Shop Window Opens into Nottingham’s Past
7. The Boots Group
8. History of
9. Sycamore Partners Completes Acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance
10. We have health
11. Boots Thailand | บู๊ทส์ ประเทศไทย
12. Boots UK – Our Boots Heritage
13. The Boots Group Announces Ornella Barra to Retire as Chief Executive Officer and Become Chairperson
14. The Boots Group Publishes 2025 ESG Report Demonstrating Measurable Progress in Improving Access to Healthcare, Transforming Hard-To-Recycle Products and Reducing Emissions
15. The Boots Group Positioned For Growth As A Private Standalone Company Following Acquisition By Sycamore Partners
16. Boots UK – Boots teams up with Holiday Expert, Chelsea Dickenson to help Brits get organised this summer with smart packing tips and hacks
17. Boots celebrates its 175 anniversary in 2024
18. Walgreens Boots Alliance concludes strategic review and decides to retain ownership of its successful Boots business
19. News from The Boots Group
20. Miscellaneous Reporting