// Boots like-for-like Q4 retail sales increase 5.2%, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
// Comparable retail sales rose 15.2% in Q4 compared to the year-ago quarter, reflecting
recovery in store transactions
Boots has delivered strong growth for its fourth quarter and full year ended 31 August
2022, with retail sales now exceeding pre-pandemic levels and growth across the full year driven by strong performances in its beauty and health categories, as well as its new online healthcare services.
The beauty and health high street chain said its “very strong performance significantly contributed” to a 65% increase in full-year Adjusted Operating Income for WBA International.
Comparable retail sales rose 15.2% in Q4 compared to the year-ago quarter, reflecting
recovery in store transactions.
Flagship and travel stores saw a particular boost in footfall as customers returned to city centres, airports and train stations, while multiple heatwaves and a return to travel led to a ‘two bottle summer’ for sunscreen, further driving sales.
Boots.com also maintained gains made during the pandemic with sales now up over 100% versus the same period in 2019.
The retailer’s website delivered strong results with digital sales now accounting for 11% of Q4 retail sales, versus 6% pre-pandemic, and 26% made through the App which now has 5.5 million active users
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In healthcare, Boots Online Doctor is in growth as demand for ‘pay as you go’ healthcare
services accelerate.
Boots saw retail healthcare sales up nearly 14% in the quarter, driven by continued investment in own-label healthcare ranges, while multiple heatwaves and a return to travel also resulted in a strong suncare performance, with the category seeing year-on-year sales increases of over 150%.
In response to the current cost-of-living crisis, earlier this month Boots launched a new everyday value range to “help customers continue to afford essential products”.
The Boots Price Lock Promise has frozen the prices of over 1,500 lines and Price Advantage has been expanded, offering Boots Advantage Card holders exclusive discounts on over 900 products.
The business has also reinforced its position as the number one beauty retailer in the UK, with the launch of 25 new and cult beauty brands this year, including Armani Beauty, Elemis and REN Skincare.
Boots UK & ROI managing director Sebastian James said: “This is a really encouraging set of results. I am especially happy to see more and more customers choosing Boots over others and our market share rising as a result. In addition I am pleased with the progress we are making in quickly introducing new, trending beauty brands, our healthcare services supporting the NHS and, of course, with our boots.com offer which is now double its pre-pandemic levels.
“We know that cost of living will be a big consideration for everybody and we have frozen 1,500 prices, launched Boots everyday with excellent products for as little as 50p, and massively expanded our Price Advantage scheme. More than half of our Christmas gifts this year are priced at £10 or under so that Boots can help people have fun and show lots of love without breaking the bank.
“Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to the 50,000 plus Boots family who have made this great performance happen.”
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