Alliance Boots predicts strong Xmas as acquisitions boost half year figures
ALLIANCE Boots said it was expecting a Christmas trade boost from its new ranges while acquisitions had ensured solid half-year figures.
The company’s same-store revenues for its health and beauty division grew by two per cent to £3.4bn, it reported yesterday.
Revenues for the whole group rose by six per cent to £8.9bn.
Finance director George Fairweather said he was confident that Alliance Boots could fend off cut-price competition from supermarkets, thanks to innovative products such as its No7 Protect & Perfect skincare range, and to higher levels of customer service.
He added: “We have had successful acquisitions in Germany and Turkey and are confident in our ranges.”
The company is hoping a range using branding from TV’s strictly Come Dancing will be a big hit.
Meanwhile, a trial link up with Waitrose which sees the two sell each others products in some stores, seems to be a success and will be expanded.
Alliance Boots was bought by private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for £11bn in 2007.