The Boots Co Plc and Granada Media Plc announced plans on October 12 to launch
a combined internet and television health and beauty business. The new service
will combine Boots’s experience in health and beauty retailing with Granada’s
commercial television production facilities.
The new joint venture, which will be 60 per cent owned by Boots, will start
broadcasting on an interactive digital television channel in February next year.
At the same time, it will establish a website incorporating Boots’s existing
site (www.boots.co.uk). Boots will promote the television channel and website
through its stores and publications.
Commenting on the new service, Mr Steve Russell (chief executive, Boots) said
that the aim was to achieve revenues equivalent to 2 per cent of the current
Boots the Chemists sales in the United Kingdom. Boots the Chemists had a turnover
of almost £4bn in the year to March 31, 2000.
Boots Healthcare International, the non-prescription medicines division of the
Boots Co Plc, has acquired the world-wide rights to manufacture and sell the
Clearasil brand of acne treatments. BHI has purchased the rights from Procter
& Gamble for $340m (£233m).