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Wed, 07 Oct 2026

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 Boots sold in £7bn deal to Canadian billionaire family

The sale of the High Street chain was announced on Wednesday.
The Weston family, owners of the Canadian grocery chain Loblaws and pharmacy business Shoppers Drug Mart, has acquired Boots in an $8.9bn deal. The 177-year-old retailer will remain under new ownership despite having changed hands several times in recent years. The sale involves Wittington Investments, a holding company controlled by the Weston family, partnering with Fairfax Financial Holdings to secure operational control over Boots. Boots has expanded its business from a simple apothecary in Nottingham to offering a wide range of health and beauty products, meal deals, and travel accessories. In recent years, it has seen a decrease in footfall due to people working from home rather than commuting to offices. Despite this challenge, the chain generated £7.5bn in sales last year, an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Galena Weston, chairman of Wittington Investments, will become chairman of Boots and has announced plans for shop upgrades and expansion of healthcare services under new ownership. The sale is expected to be completed in early 2027. Retail expert Catherine Shuttleworth expects that shoppers are unlikely to see much change in the coming months but believes an improved shopping experience is possible as the new owners invest in the business.