Wittington Investments, the holding company of the Weston family has completed a purchase of the UK pharmacy and beauty retailer Boots for $8.9bn (approximately £6.74bn). The transaction transfers ownership of Boots’ United Kingdom and Irish retail operations, its opticians chain, the No7 beauty brand and a franchise arm operating in Thailand from long-term backer Stefano Pessina to the Weston-controlled vehicle.
The deal reunites a familiar name in British retail with a family that already holds a significant presence in North American grocery and pharmacy markets. Wittington Investments is the principal vehicle for the Weston family, which formerly owned Selfridges and controls major Canadian chains Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. Adding Boots brings a substantial UK and Irish footprint into that portfolio and extends the group’s exposure in beauty and health services.
The acquisition secures a household name on the high street and consolidates ownership of a set of retail assets spanning pharmacies, opticians and owned beauty brands. Boots has for decades been a core outlet for health and beauty products across the United Kingdom, and the inclusion of the No7 brand strengthens the buyer’s position in product-led beauty retailing. The package also includes Boots’ international franchise interests, notably in Thailand, underscoring the geographic breadth of the transaction.
The completion of this sale marks a significant change in stewardship for Boots and adds a major British retail franchise to the Westons’ holdings. The acquisition price, reported at $8.9bn, reflects the scale of the business and the strategic value of its branded products and retail network. Market participants and customers will now watch how the new ownership integrates Boots with the group’s existing grocery and pharmacy operations across North America and beyond.
