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Boots has revealed its total sales in the UK grew 15.2% in the second quarter ending 28 February 2022 (Q2), with continued market share gains in all categories, led by beauty.
UK comparable retail sales increased 22% with sustained retail and pharmacy sales growth despite trading headwinds from the Omicron variant. Boots said this was attained through the “successful” execution of its transformation plan, with a key focus on beauty, healthcare and digital.
Overall, Boots.com witnessed Q2 digital sales rising 60% compared to pre-Covid levels with 37 million monthly sessions online, up 40% compared to pre-Covid levels. Online sales now account for more than 15% of Boots UK total retail sales, compared to pre-Covid levels of 9%, with an increasing proportion coming from the Boots UK mobile app.
Additionally, comparable pharmacy sales increased 3.6% amid “stronger demand” for pharmacy services. Sales from pharmacy services grew almost 75% year on year, following the company’s new online healthcare services, flu vaccinations and Covid-19 testing.
The retailer experienced a 52% surge in footfall year-on-year across Boots UK stores, and in store basket sizes are up 15% compared to pre-Covid levels.
Boots also said it has placed additional focus on self-selection beauty this quarter, enhancing the range of its offering with the launch of Revolution and the relaunch of beauty brand 17, and the launch of 66 beauty brands in the past two years.
Sebastian James, managing director of Boots UK and ROI, said: “Boots continues to bounce back strongly from the pandemic and delivered another solid performance this quarter, with sustained retail and pharmacy sales growth and market share gains across all categories.
“Our strategic focus continues to be on transforming our beauty, healthcare and digital offerings and this quarter we made excellent progress – with strong take-up of our new and existing healthcare services while maintaining our leading position in the growing beauty category.”
He added: “Looking ahead, Boots is uniquely positioned to capture further growth through the combination of our broad and rejuvenated store portfolio and increasingly powerful online presence.”
