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Sizzling sunscreen sales push trade at Boots back above pre-pandemic levels for the first time
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Rising demand for sunscreen this summer pushed sales at Boots back above pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
Heat waves and rising demand for beach holidays led to what the High Street chemist called a ‘two-bottle summer’ – selling more than twice as much sunscreen as last year.
Soltan, the group’s own brand of sunscreen, had its biggest week of sales in July since 2013.
Summer essentials: Boots’ own-brand sunscreen Soltan had its biggest week of sales since 2013 in July
Boots was also boosted by the return to office work as shoppers in the city center shops increased.
And it was helped by the easing of pandemic travel restrictions as sales surged in airport and train station stores.
Overall, pharmacy sales rose by a fifth in the three months to August 31, compared to a year earlier. As a result, sales were 15.2 percent higher than in the same period before Covid struck.
It was the first time Boots had surpassed pre-Covid sales after struggling with empty shopping streets and a decline in demand for beauty products.
The update came after the chain’s American owner, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), ditched a plan to sell the British company amid financial market turmoil.
WBA has pledged to continue investing in the High Street chain, despite attempts to sell it to India’s Reliance Industries and US private equity giant Apollo Global. And Boots’ strong performance contributed to a 65 percent increase in full-year earnings at WBA.
Boat boss Sebastian James said the results were “very encouraging”. Boots is the UK’s largest retailer of beauty products and said it extended its lead in the last quarter.
It has introduced 25 beauty brands in the past year, including Unilever’s REN and L’Oreal’s Armani Beauty.
It also played a key role in the UK’s pandemic response by offering Covid tests and vaccines. Pharmacy sales fell compared to last year as vaccine rollouts dwindled and fewer tests for the virus were sought.
And as UK households face rising food and energy bills and tighter incomes, Boots launched an ‘everyday’ range of low-priced basics.
The 60-piece range, which includes toiletries, skin care, dental, hair care and menstrual products, is priced from 50 pence to £1.50.
James said it sells “very well.” As families start Christmas shopping early to spread costs, he added, “There will definitely be a focus on value this Christmas.”