Boots has provided a significant update on its planned store closures. Last year, the health and beauty retailer announced the closure of 300 branches to reduce its overall store count. Now, Boots has confirmed to The Sun that 253 stores have already been closed under this plan, leaving 47 more stores scheduled for closure in the coming months.
Boots, which is owned by US-listed giant Walgreens Boots Alliance, said James will remain with the group until November. The firm has kicked off the process to find his successor. James is understood to be leaving to head up European eye surgery business Veonet, which owns SpaMedica in the UK. He has been in the top job at Boots in the UK since 2018, having previously headed up the electrical retailer Dixons, which has since been renamed Currys.