Mergers & Acquisitions ·
Fairfax partners with Wittington Investments in $8.9B acquisition of Boots retail operations
FAXRFFairfax Financial Holdings Ltd/ Can
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited has entered into agreements to partner with Wittington Investments, the holding company of the Weston family, to acquire Boots from The Boots Group for approximately US$8.9 billion, inclusive of assumed debt. Fairfax will provide up to US$2.3 billion in equity commitment and is expected to own 50% of the acquired entity post-closing, while Wittington retains operational control with Galen Weston serving as Chair. The transaction includes Boots' UK and Ireland retail operations, Opticians business, No7 Beauty Company, and international franchises, but excludes Farmacias Benavides and Alliance Healthcare Deutschland. Subject to customary closing conditions, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited operates primarily as a holding company engaged in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and investment management.