It would see Chemist Warehouse’s owner lock horns with Canada’s wealthy Weston family, which owns the grocery chain Loblaws and the pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart.

Boots' owner Sycamore Partners is in discussions with potential buyers including the family behind Primark as well as Australian pharmacists Sigma Healthcare.

ASX-listed Sigma Healthcare is looking at Boots alongside other bidders including Canada’s wealthy Weston family, the report said.