Waitrose phases out Boots' beauty range
Beauty products from high street chemist Boots will be phased out from Waitrose's shelves after a trial failed to meet both businesses expectations, it has been revealed.
The initiative, launched in March 2010, was an attempt for both chains to boost their offering to customers and compete with the big supermarkets.
Waitrose will replace Boots' products in the 13 stores where the trial was conducted with its own label or branded goods, Waitrose said.
A Waitrose spokeswoman said: "It didn't meet the expectations of either partner. But that's the point of having a trial - to learn what works."
The 13 trial branches were in Dorchester, Westbury Park, Hersham, Ringwood, Worthing, Bury St Edmunds, Lichfield, Meanwood, Nailsea, Finchley, Lincoln, Wandsworth and Sudbury.
However, Boots, owned by Alliance Boots, confirmed it will continue to sell Waitrose food lines, such as sandwiches and snacks, which are offered in about 34 stores.
Like-for-like sales grew by more than 4 per cent at Nottingham-headquartered health chain over Christmas.
Alliance Boots said its UK retail division was boosted by sales of beauty and cosmetic gift sets.
