Brief
Boots near £7 billion sale to Canadian Weston family, Sycamore says
Sycamore, which bought Boots last year, is in advanced talks to sell the UK pharmacy chain to the Canadian side of the billionaire Weston family for about £7 billion.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Boots is close to a roughly £7 billion sale to the Canadian branch of the billionaire Weston family, according to two reports published on 1 October 2026. Private‑equity owner Sycamore is in advanced talks over the deal, a year after acquiring Boots through the purchase of its parent, Walgreens Boots Alliance.
What happened
Sycamore split Boots from its US operations in August 2025 and began seeking a buyer earlier in 2026. Australian pharmacy chain Sigma Healthcare entered talks but withdrew in the summer. The Weston family, which owns grocery chain Loblaws via Wittington Investments, re‑entered the process and is now the leading candidate. The Wall Street Journal, cited by the Independent, said a deal could be finalised within a week.
What the reports add
The Standard notes that the Weston family’s British interests include a majority stake in Primark through Associated British Foods, which also owns brands such as Twinings and Ryvita. The Independent repeats this ownership detail and adds the Wall Street Journal’s timeline for a possible agreement.
What was said
No direct quotations appear in the two reports; both outlets convey the same information without attributing spoken comments.
How it came about
Sycamore’s acquisition of Boots in 2025 led to a restructuring that separated the UK business – comprising Boots UK and Ireland, Boots opticians, the No7 beauty brand and pharmacy outlets – from the US side. The sale process launched earlier this year, with the Canadian Weston family emerging as the most likely buyer after Sigma Healthcare’s withdrawal.
Key facts
- Boots is near a £7 billion sale to the Canadian branch of the Weston family. (standard.co.uk)
- Sycamore, the private‑equity owner of Boots, is in advanced talks over the deal. (independent.co.uk)
- The Weston family also controls Primark via Associated British Foods. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk
- [2] independent.co.uk
