retail pharmacy

High street pharmacy chain Boots is reportedly closing in on a £7 billion sale to Canada's Weston family, according to newspaper reports. The deal would return the retailer to the Weston family, which previously owned it through Associated British Foods before its separation, and would mark one of the larger UK retail transactions in recent years.

Cardinal Health is putting forward ideas for reimagining the retail pharmacy experience to better serve today's consumers. The company argues pharmacies must adapt to changing shopper expectations, blending convenience, digital tools and health services. The remarks come as drugstore chains face pressure from online retail and shifting patient needs, prompting discussion about how community pharmacies can stay relevant.

More people are using retail health clinics, typically located inside pharmacies and big-box stores, for routine care such as minor illnesses, vaccinations and screenings. The trend reflects frustrations with long waits and costs at traditional doctors' offices, as convenience-based care becomes a mainstream option for everyday health needs.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of UK pharmacy chain Boots, is reportedly close to a deal selling the business to Canada's Weston family for around $9 billion. The sale would put the health and retail group in the hands of one of Canada's best-known retail dynasties, ending years of speculation about the company's future and restructuring under its US owner.