290 Boots stores close with UK set to 'wave goodbye to 10 more'

With 290 Boots stores closed throughout September, the country is set to wave goodbye to ten more, as the high-street giant joins other chains, like Wilko and Next, in implementing mass closures of UK stores. Since 2023, Boots has shut around 290 shops to reduce its store estate from around 2,200 down to 1,900 sites. According to The Sun, the 10 remaining stores are expected to shut by the end of October.

Nick Drewe , retail expert and founder of the online e-commerce platform, Wethrift , said: “Walgreens announced earlier this year that they are set to close 300 stores as part of a broader effort to consolidate its operations, which will come into play throughout October. Boots operated 2,200 stores across the UK, employing approximately 55,000 people at the start of this year, but as it stands, it has reduced its footprint to 1,990 locations. “The combined effects of COVID-19 and Brexit have placed significant strain on the UK retail sector, with many major brands either entering administration or reassessing their business and marketing strategies.

Like Boots, numerous companies have resorted to store closures as a means of staying afloat. READ MORE Met Office and BBC Weather speak out over -8C Arctic snow blast reports “The ongoing cost of living crisis has led consumers to reduce spending on non-essentials, particularly on luxury items. While inflation has reached its lowest level in over two years, both businesses and consumers continue to feel the residual effect.