Annual sales increased by as much as 8.2 per cent at Boots the Chemist outlets in Ireland in the 12 months to March 31st compared with like-for-like sales gains of only 1.4 per cent in the retail chemist outlets of Boots combined.

Strong sales growth in Ireland is attributed by Boots to improvement in product lines since its chain of 30 stores was acquired in 1998, mainly through the purchase of the Hayes Conyngham & Robinson outlets with annual turnover of nearly £19 million.