Healthcare
First
Health is the key to the success of Boots. It is central to customer perceptions of our stores and as our biggest business it is also the key to the economics of the company - contributing 40 per cent of our sales and 50 per cent of our profits.
It covers not only pharmacy but also consumer healthcare - everything from over-the-counter medicines to the growing market for positive personal healthcare such as vitamins and minerals as well as alternatives remedies.
Healthcare is the one category that is present in every store, regardless of its size and location. It is also one of the fastest growing retail markets.
That is why we have focused on it over the past couple of years and will continue to do so. We have often summed it up by saying that our mission is to "Put the Chemist Back in Boots".
Healthcare has been a primary focus for investment. Over the past six months we have completed the roll-out of Smartscript, our IT-based system for pharmacists which allows them to check all medicines to ensure they are right for each customer - not aggravating any existing conditions or adversely reacting with anything else they might be taking. We have installed additional capacity for our care home business in 28 stores and advertised the prescription collection services more widely. These businesses are up 12% and 20% respectively helping grow overall dispensing volumes by 5 per cent.
LINK: Let me just say a few words on this market.
