Boots agrees to $10bn takeover by US firm Sycamore Partners amid retail transformation

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), the parent company of Boots, has confirmed a $10bn (£7.8bn) acquisition by US private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

The takeover is anticipated to be finalised by year-end, as reported by City AM.

WBA, listed in the US, commented on the deal: "[Sycamore's] experience in retail and consumer services would ensure WBA was better positioned to become 'the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services'."

Concurrently, WBA's CEO Tim Wentworth stated: "While we are making progress against our ambitious turnaround strategy, meaningful value creation will take time, focus and change that is better managed as a private company."

Stefan Kaluzny, Managing Director of Sycamore Partners, expressed his respect for WBA's legacy and team: "For nearly 125 years, Walgreens, and for 175 years, Boots, along with their portfolio of trusted brands, have been integral to the lives of patients and customers."

He added, "Sycamore has deep respect for WBA's talented and dedicated team members, and we are committed to stewarding the company's iconic brands."

The implications of this deal for Boots in the UK remain uncertain. The pharmacy chain has been a staple of the British high street since its establishment by John Boot in 1849.

Boots continues to be one of the group's top-performing business lines, with suggestions of a London float as recent as last year.

"Sycamore will provide us with the expertise and experience of a partner with a strong track record of successful retail turnarounds," Wentworth further noted.

Following the Autumn Budget, Boots, the high-street pharmacy chain, cautioned about the potential for "heightened cost pressures" in 2025.

Newly appointed Nottingham-based CEO, Anthony Hemmerdinger, acknowledged that managing these costs would be challenging but assured that "the business is focused on navigating these and continuing to deliver long-term, sustainable growth."

This statement accompanied Boots' announcement of an 8.1% year-on-year rise in total comparable retail sales for the first quarter of its financial year, which spanned from three months to 30 November 2024.

Subsequently, WBA shares surged 27.6% ($2.54), with the health and beauty retailer attributing growth across all categories and channels, building on a notable increase in the previous year.

Boots experienced a "record" Black Friday in 2024, marked by a 23% year-on-year spike in digital sales, which comprised 22% of its total retail turnover.

Hemmerdinger, who assumed the helm in September 2024 following Seb James' departure, has previously held executive roles, including six years as Asda's chief operating officer and stints at Greene King, Sainsbury's, and Carphone Warehouse.