Skin creams and swine flu boost Boots

ANTI-AGEING skin creams and swine-flu fears have led to a “stellar” sales surge at Alliance Boots, the UK’s biggest chemist chain.

Sales surge for Alliance Boots Sales surge for Alliance Boots

Finance director George Fairweather said an 11.6 per cent jump in sales to £9billion for the six months to September 30 had been boosted by increased demand for its “unique and clinically proven” No7 Protect & Perfect anti-ageing beauty range.

“This has not been the easiest of markets but our own branded products have created a stellar performance,” he said. “Our skin creams are being bought by women because they are effective and better value than more expensive brands.”

A growing awareness of health issues as a result of the swine-flu outbreak had boosted sales of ­medicines and personal hygiene products, Fairweather said.

Boots, which appointed former HBOS boss Andy Hornby as chief executive in July, played down talk that it would compete for banking assets following the sector shake-up.

“It is not on our immediate to do list,” the company said. Fairweather said Boots was well set for Christmas with its “good offers – we are here for all the men buying perfume at the last minute”.

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