Boots results are on target

Alliance Boots reported group revenue for the quarter ending December 31 2011 up 14.1 per cent on the same period in 2010.

However, the total revenue for this quarter (excluding VAT) for all the Health & Beauty Division, including Boots Opticians and non-UK health and beauty concerns, was flat compared to Q3 2010. Stefano Pessina, executive chairman, said: 'Despite the difficult trading environment, the division as we expected delivered good profit growth through a combination of effective gross margin management and tight cost controls.'

He described the overall group performance as strong, adding that it was on track to deliver its 2011/2012 operational and financial targets, with a double digit trading profit growth for the year. 'Looking to 2012, we expect the economic environment to remain tough with continuing pressure on both consumer and governmental expenditure.'