- High street retailer Boots is set to be acquired by the Canadian branch of the Weston family via Wittington Investments for US$8.9 billion (£6.7 billion).
- Wittington is partnering with Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings on the deal, acquiring Boots' UK and Ireland retail and pharmacy operations, Boots Opticians, and No7 Beauty Company.
- The transaction comes just 12 months after private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired control of parent group Walgreens Boots Alliance.
- The takeover signals a return to British retail for the Canadian Weston family, who previously sold department store chain Selfridges for £4 billion in 2022.
- Subject to regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to complete during the first quarter of 2027.
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