Boots presence on the cards

Boots has announced plans to shut 300 of its stores over the next year.

The retailer revealed the extent of closures despite posting stronger sales over the latest quarter.

The move – which Boots said will impact shops in close proximity to other sites – will reduce its portfolio from 2,200 to 1,900 stores.

Indications are that if its Grosvenor Centre store is retained, Boots Opticians store on Mill Street in Macclesfield would be moved instore into the Grosvenor Centre store.

Boots said there are no proposed redundancies despite the plan, with plans to redeploy affected workers.

Boots employs over 52,000 people, but the closures are not expected to lead to redundancies and affected employees will be offered redeployment.

The news comes after Boots revealed a surge in online shoppers and people opting for own-brand labels has driven up sales over the latest quarter. The chain said its own ranges have been flying off the shelves as consumers hunt down value.