Boots sales sizzle in the sun

SOARING demand for sun creams during August helped Boots to achieve first-half sales growth in line with City estimates.

The group, which brought in ex-Asda boss Richard Baker as chief executive last month, today reported 4.9% like-for-like sales growth in the first half.

In a trading update ahead of interim results next month, Boots said its new Sunshop in-store concept benefited from an expanded range of summer products as well as the heatwave. Sunshop sales surged by 15%, while the rest of the business was unaffected.

Gross margins were flat due to the cost of refurbishment and opening 20 new edge-of-town stores.

'We have promised to deliver profitable top-line growth which is now coming through,' said Howard Dodd, chief financial officer.

First-half sales growth from Boots' range of branded drugs came in at 11.8%, or 7% after excluding currency factors.