BOOTS lost further ground to supermarkets in 2005 as its share of the health and beauty market tumbled to its lowest level for eight years, according to research published today.
The retailer lost 0.6 per cent of its market share after Tesco and rival supermarkets increased the amount of space devoted to grooming ranges and instigated price cuts, say market research firm Verdict.
The report also warned Boots that its £7 billion merger with Alliance UniChem would do little to boost its share of the health and beauty products market, which currently stands at 25.1 per cent. That is because Alliance is more focused on pharmacies close to hospitals and doctors' surgeries rather than the UK high street.
The top six operators in the health and beauty market, Boots, Tesco, AS Watson - parent firm for names such as Superdrug and Savers - Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons account for £3 out of every £4 spent by consumers.
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