Boots (company)

Boots UK (also known as Boots the Chemist), trading as Boots, is a health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom and other countries and territories including Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and Thailand.

History[edit | edit source]

Boots was established in 1849, by John Boot. After his father's death in 1860, Jesse Boot, aged 10, helped his mother run the family's herbal medicine shop in Nottingham, which was incorporated as Boot and Co. Ltd in 1883, becoming Boots Pure Drug Company Ltd in 1888.

Operations[edit | edit source]

Boots operates over 2,500 stores across the United Kingdom, ranging from local pharmacies to large health and beauty stores. Their stores are primarily located on the high streets and in shopping centres. It sells many health and beauty products, and also provides optician and hearing care services within stores and as standalone practices. Boots also operates a retail website and a loyalty card programme called the Boots Advantage Card.

Pharmacy services[edit | edit source]

Boots UK offers a range of pharmacy services, including dispensing of prescriptions, health checks, and advice on medication and healthcare. In addition, some Boots pharmacies offer a range of additional services such as flu vaccinations and cholesterol testing.

Boots Opticians[edit | edit source]

Boots Opticians became the UK's second largest retail optics chain after acquiring Dollond & Aitchison in 2009. It provides comprehensive eye examinations, a wide range of spectacles and contact lenses, as well as sunglasses.

Boots Hearingcare[edit | edit source]

Boots Hearingcare is one of the largest suppliers of digital hearing aids, batteries and accessories in the UK. They also provide a free hearing check service in their stores.

Criticism and controversy[edit | edit source]

Boots has been involved in a number of controversies, including a dispute over the sale of emergency contraception and overcharging for drugs sold to the National Health Service.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Official website

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