Boots’ owner Sycamore Partners allegedly nears sale of UK retailer to Weston family

Sycamore Partners is rumoured to be in conversations with the billionaire Weston family, a Canadian-British business group, in negotiating a sale of the UK health and beauty retailer, according to a new report

Boots, the UK health and beauty retailer, is allegedly nearing a potential sale amid rumours of advanced talks from owner Sycamore Partners.

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is allegedly looking to sell Boots to the billionaire Weston family, a Canadian-British business group, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke with publication Bloomberg.

The Weston family is known for global operations in food processing, retail and pharmaceuticals.

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A Boots spokesperson told Cosmetics Business that “Boots is not commenting on this story”.

Sycamore Partners allegedly began exploring options to float Boots Group on the London Stock Exchange in April this year, which would have been earmarked to launch in 2027.

It follows Boots becoming a fully “standalone company” in August 2025, after the acquisition of its parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

Sycamore Partners completed its deal to buy the UK health and beauty retail chain in partnership with the then Chairman of Boots, Stefano Pessina, and his family.

Boots recently joined TikTok Shop, following hot on the heels of Sephora and Ulta Beauty.

Boots’ TikTok shopfront, which launched on 28 September, includes a curated selection of skin care and beauty products from its own-brand No7 range.