US-based pharmacy giant Walgreens has taken a 45
per cent stake in Alliance Boots for $6.7 billion
(£4.3 billion) in a deal to create the world’s largest
pharmacy business. According to a joint statement, the merger
will create a global leader in “pharmacy-led, health and
wellbeing retail” with more than 11,000 stores in 12
countries. In addition, the deal will see a global pharmaceutical
wholesale and distribution network with more than 370
distribution centres delivering to more than 170,000 pharmacies,
doctors, health centres and hospitals in 21 countries.
US-based sportswear retailer Zumiez is to
acquire its Austrian rival Blue Tomato for
€59.5 million (£48 million). Founded by former
European Snowboard champion Gerfried Schuller in 1988, Blue
Tomato sells a range of branded snow and skate hard goods,
apparel, footwear, and accessories across Europe via the
blue-tomato.com website, which is available in 14 different
languages. In addition, it operates five bricks-and-mortar stores
in Austria. It had a net income of €3.5 million (£2.8
million) for the year ended 30th April 2012. Blue Tomato will
continue to be headquartered in Schladming, Austria and senior
management led by Schuller will continue in their current roles.
Some 230 production workers at the Clarks Shoes
distribution centre in Street, Somerset, started
“work-to-rule” industrial action over a dispute
involving pay and changes to their terms and conditions. The
workers, who are all members of the trade union Community, voted
in a ballot with 79 per cent supporting the action. If the dispute
is not resolved quickly, the union warned of the prospect of
strike action at a later date.
The team behind online gifts retailer Prezzybox
has launched GetMonkeys, a daily deals website.
Prezzybox founder Zak Edwards says GetMonkey is different because
“we carry stock–no vouchers required”.
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