 Boots announced a shake up of its operations last year |
UK health and beauty retailer Boots has seen a 2.6% rise in like-for-like sales in the period covering the crucial festive shopping season. Strong sales of cosmetics and baby products helped it to increase its market share in the October-to-December period, the company said.
It said annual profits should meet forecasts of about �500m.
Boots chief Richard Baker said the firm was making "good progress" in becoming more modern, competitive and efficient.
However, the rise in same store sales came in at the lower end of analysts' expectations.
Boots saw total sales increase by 4.2% in its third quarter to �1.45bn, while its international operations reported a 3.7% rise.
Larger stores
The firm, facing competition from the major supermarket chains, last year announced an investment and reorganisation plan.
In an effort to boost its sales, Boots said it would move away from its traditional grooming and health products and expand into new lines such as mobile phones.
It also announced plans to close its laser eye, dentistry, chiropody, and laser hair removal businesses.
It cut prices and staged three-for-two product offers as part of its festive shopping promotions.
The group said it had also reaped the benefit of investment in larger stores.
A wider range of products helped boost sales of gifts such as toys and games by 8%.
Shares in Boots, which have lost about 5% of their value over the past year, closed up 2.5 pence at 662p.
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