The UK high-street chain Boots is undergoing a major store-portfolio reduction as it adapts to rising costs, online competition and changing customer habits. This article explains what’s happening, why stores are closing, how shoppers and staff are affected, and what you should do if you’re impacted.
What does “store closing” mean for Boots?
In retail terms a store closing means the closure of one or more physical branches of a retailer — the shop ceases trading at that location, and staff may be redeployed, made redundant or moved elsewhere. For Boots, this also includes the term “store portfolio optimisation” where the company reviews its branch network, identifies under-performing or overlapping sites and shuts or converts them so that the remaining stores serve customers better and cost less to operate.
For example, in its 2024 accounts the company said it had reduced its store count from 2,177 to 1,840 stores in the UK.
In practice, closures mean changes in local access to pharmacy / retail services, new store formats, and possibly job losses or redeployment.
When we talk about “Boots stores closing” we normally refer to the UK arm of Boots (part of Walgreens Boots Alliance) rather than its US operations, though some of its parent company’s wider decisions also impact Boots’ strategy.
Why is Boots closing stores now?
Challenging high-street economics
The UK high street has been under pressure for years. Factors include rising business rates, increased wages and employer National Insurance, higher energy costs, and falling footfall as more people shop online or from out-of-town retail parks. Retailers have to trade at lower margins and justify each store on efficiency grounds.
For Boots specifically, its 2025 coverage pointed to “heightened cost pressures” and a high number of stores still operating in an era where online sales and multi-channel service are rising.
Strategic shift to digital and services
Boots is not just a retail store; it has a large pharmacy business and a beauty business. The firm is increasingly focusing on online channels, click-and-collect, in-store services (such as vaccinations and health checks) and a leaner estate. Closing stores is part of reallocating resources into fewer, better-equipped branches and digital. According to one analysis, Boots’ online sales rose strongly (for example the chain reported a 20% rise in boots.com sales in a period).
Over-lapping sites and under-performing branches
In its store-closure announcements, Boots cited that many of the branches to be closed were within 5km of another Boots store, meaning that consolidation could serve customers via the nearest store without loss of coverage.
Parent company pressures and private equity interest
Boots is part of the Walgreens Boots Alliance group. The Guardian reported that Boots was facing a new private-equity takeover, which often leads to cost-cutting and asset rationalisation, including store closures.
What has Boots announced and what is the current status (2025)?
Here is a summary of what Boots has disclosed:
In July 2024 Boots confirmed that its closure programme of 300 pharmacies (a subset of its stores) in the UK would complete that summer.
City AM reported that in the year to end August 2024, Boots shuttered 334 locations, taking its store count down to 1,840 stores from 2,177. Pre-tax profit rose from £60 m to £269 m over that period.
Earlier announcements hinted at up to 650 closures across stores and pharmacies under the cost-saving plan.
A large closure programme means a continuing review of the company’s estate; according to The Sun, over 290 stores had now shut with fewer than ten remaining scheduled in one set of reports. (Note: The Sun is less authoritative but the figure aligns with other disclosures)
As of April 2025, Boots has “already closed more than 300 outlets” and its workforce is concerned about the impact of potential further closures or restructuring.
Real-life example: what does a local Boots closure look like?
Imagine a town centre where there are two Boots stores within a few miles. One might perform well; the other may see declining footfall, be in a less favourable location, and carry higher operating costs (rent, staffing, premises maintenance). Boots may decide to close the underperforming store, then encourage customers to use the nearby alternative store or online ordering.
For customers, this means the store they visited might close; they may have to travel further or rely on delivery. For staff, it means redeployment or redundancy. In communities especially reliant on the local pharmacy, this can create concerns over access to health services. The Guardian piece flagged how local staff feared job losses and how local businesses at HQ-site in Nottingham were impacted.
Another example: Boots ended pharmacy provision (though not full store closure) in 22 stores in 2021, citing a review of pharmacy network coverage.
What does this mean for the high street and retail landscape?
Impact on town centres
As Boots closes stores, many high-streets lose a major anchor tenant. That can lead to reduced foot traffic, other store closures, and a shift toward different retail formats or development. A 2025 list of UK high street closures confirmed Boots among several chains reducing presence.
Shift in roles of retailers
Retailers like Boots are becoming hybrid health-care and beauty hubs more than pure retail shops. The emphasis is less on high footfall impulse sales and more on service-based revenue (pharmacy, clinics, digital).
Online vs offline balance
The closures reflect a broader trend: consumers increasingly shop online or use click-and-collect, so chains must optimise their physical estate. Boots’ rise in digital sales shows the adaptation in play (20% increase online during a period)
Practical tips if you’re a customer or employee affected
For customers
If you rely on a local Boots store, check whether it is scheduled to close or convert. Use Boots’ website store-locator and news updates. Consider registering for online shopping, click-and-collect at remaining branches, or delivery options. If your town loses a pharmacy, identify the alternative local pharmacy and discuss access ahead of time.
For employees
If you work at a store flagged for closure, engage early with your employer about redeployment options. Boots has indicated many affected staff will be offered alternative roles. Keep your CV updated, seek support from unions if applicable (for example pharmacists’ unions) and understand redundancy terms.
For landlords / local councils
If you manage or lease property to Boots, now is a key moment to review lease terms, potential re-letting to other retailers, or repurposing the space. Local councils should plan for high-street regeneration and consider the wider impact of large-chain closures.
For investors / market observers
Store-closure programmes may improve profitability but also signal strategic risk or market shifts. Boots’ rising profit after closures (pre-tax £269m in 2024 up from £60m) may appeal to investors, but questions around sustainability and competition remain.
Recent trends as of 2025
In 2025 the UK high street is still contracting; studies estimate Britain lost up to 37 shops a day in 2024, and closure lists continue into 2025 with Boots among major chains shuttering sites.
Boots’ parent company may see further rationalisation under private equity ownership; the Guardian reported concerns that new owner may look at selling parts of the business and further store closures.
The focus is shifting to fewer, larger format stores with more services (beauty, health) plus strong digital capability. Retailers that adapt fastest are more likely to survive.
Cost pressures remain high: wage inflation, business rates, lease obligations and energy costs continue to squeeze retail margins.
Consumer behaviour continues to favour online shopping, convenience, omni-channel services, meaning physical stores need to be efficient and value-adding rather than simply a local presence.
What happens next for Boots and similar retailers?
Boots will likely continue to review its estate, closing or converting more branches where sites are underperforming or overlapping. The precise number of future closures is not always disclosed in detail, but analysts expect further rationalisation given changing retail conditions.
For Boots, the challenge will be to maintain its pharmacy presence and brand value even with fewer stores, ensuring the remaining network covers key geographies, especially in towns or areas where access matters.
The retail industry as a whole may see more mergers, acquisitions, redeployment of store space (into co-working, health hubs, community services) and fewer traditional high-street shop premises.
Definitions to know
Store portfolio optimisation
A strategic process where a retailer reviews all its physical branches and decides which to close, relocate, refurbish or expand in order to improve overall performance and align with current customer behaviour.
Footfall
The number of people visiting a particular store or shopping area. Declining footfall partly drives the decision to shut branches.
Click-and-collect
A retail fulfilment model where a customer orders online and then picks the item up from a physical store or designated location. This model reduces inventory and fulfilment costs compared with pure shipping and supports fewer but better-equipped stores.
Omni-channel retail
Retail strategy which integrates physical stores, online storefronts, mobile apps and services seamlessly, so that the customer journey is smooth across channels. Retailers closing stores are often emphasising omni-channel models.
Business rates and national insurance cost pressures
Business rates in the UK are taxes on commercial property. National Insurance Contributions (employer side) and increases in minimum wage raise wage costs. Rising fixed costs make some stores commercially unviable.
FAQs
How many Boots stores are closing?
Boots has disclosed that 334 locations closed in the year to August 2024, reducing store count from 2,177 to 1,840. Additionally, a broader plan to close up to 650 stores and pharmacies was earlier stated.
Will Boots close all stores or just some branches?
Just some branches. The closure programme targets under-performing and overlapping branches. Boots emphasises redeploying staff and retaining presence via fewer but better stores plus online services.
Will my local Boots pharmacy disappear?
It depends. Some stores are being closed completely, while in other cases the pharmacy service within the store may be ended, or the premises converted. You should check Boots’ local communications or the store-locator on boots.com. For example, Boots ended pharmacy provision in 22 stores in 2021.
How does this affect Boots employees?
Employees may be offered alternative roles within Boots, redeployed to nearby stores, or in worst cases be made redundant. Staff have expressed concern about job security amid the restructuring.
What should customers do if their local Boots store is closing?
Find your nearest remaining store using the locator; register for online shopping or click-and-collect; check pharmacy access and transfer any prescriptions well before closure; and stay informed of any transition or closure dates.
To Conclude
The story of Boots stores closing reflects broader shifts in retail: high-street dominance is being challenged by online options, cost pressures are increasing, and consumer behaviour is evolving. For Boots, closing stores is less about retreat and more about redefining how and where it delivers value. The brand’s long-term survival may depend on fewer, smarter stores complemented by digital and service-based revenue streams. For communities, employees and customers, it means change is coming — but with planning and awareness, the transition can be navigated successfully.
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