ASDA owners reportedly mulling Boots takeover bid

Blackburn-based brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, the owners of supermarket chain Asda, are reportedly considering a bid for the chemist retail chain Boots.

Discussions are reportedly happening at a senior level but are still in very early stages. The acquisition would add Boots' 2,200 retail outlets and pharmacies to Asda's existing store portfolio.

The news is only the last speculative takeover bid that has been reported recently, with a number of private equity firms having expressed interest in acquiring Boots.

Last week it was reported that Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners have joined forces for a buyout bid for Boots, according to a Sky News report.

The bid was announced after Boots' US-listed parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) posted strong results, including a positive outlook for the UK and international operations of the retail giant.

Boots UK comparable retail sales increased 16.3% in 2021, compared to the same period the previous year.