Canada's Weston family agrees to buy UK pharmacy chain Boots for £6.7 billion

The Canadian branch of the billionaire Weston family, through its holding company Wittington Investments, has agreed to acquire the British high street retailer Boots for £6.7 billion. The deal, announced on Wednesday, will transfer ownership from private equity firm Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family. The acquisition includes Boots' retail and pharmacy operations in the UK and Ireland, Boots Opticians, the No7 Beauty Company, and its Thailand and franchise businesses. Galen Weston will become chairman of Boots. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2027.