Hopes that Boots could return to the London stock market look likely to be dashed as its owner holds talks with suitors over a £7.5billion sale.
Sycamore Partners, which last year bought Boots’ US parent Walgreens Boots Alliance, is in discussions with potential buyers including the billionaire Weston family, as well as Australian pharmacists Sigma Healthcare.
A deal would see the High Street health and beauty chain abandon plans for a stock market listing through a so-called initial public offering (IPO) in a major blow to the City.
A source close to the discussions told the Mail: ‘It’s very preliminary but talks are ongoing. You shouldn’t expect a deal on Monday morning.
‘But a relatively quick trade sale this year is seen as preferable to an IPO next year given all the uncertainty that brings.’
