Boots Opticians To Join Forces With Walgreen Of The United States

Following a move by the American pharmacy giant Walgreen, Boots Opticians will now become a part of the company, allowing the US company to expand into the optics market both in the US and also across international markets. Having acquired a 45% stake in Boots Opticians, following the investment in parent company Alliance Boots, Walgreen will now be seen as a major player in the optical market, with a new interest in the 625 practices currently in operation. The deal is reported to be worth a monsterous £4.3 billion.

As part of the deal between the biggest US pharmacy chain and Alliance Boots, Walgreen reserve the option to purchase the other 55% in 2015. Such a move would certainly cause a stir in the optics market with such a financially powerfully backed owner moving in. Currently, it is not anticipated that the purchase will affect the day to day workings of any of the Boots Optician stores, owned or franchised. With both companies based in very similar markets within the health industry, it is estimated that the move will streamline both companies and enable savings of up to $1 billion by year 4 of the agreement. This deal is the latest in a series of moves by Walgreen in an attempt to muscle into the optical market following the recent takeover of VisionDirect.com. The partnership with Boots Opticians sees them able to enhance their portfolio outside of the USA and across Europe.

With massive new investment and backing, Boots are expected to continue as currently planned and look to broaden its ranges of glasses and contact lens products in order to further enhance their standing in the market. It would seem that finance would no longer be a concern or issue in this matter with Walgreens appearance on the scene. The good news for Boots and its workers is that the noises coming from across the pond suggest that they are more than happy with the current structure and working levels at the practices and are not looking to move in a change things, preferring to allow the company to continue and blossom as it currently is.