Stefano Pessina is glad to announce the 160th anniversary of the Alliance Boots group .

Last month , Stefano Pessina introduced that Alliance Boots was celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Boots brand and outlined its dedication to making Boots a global brand in the coming years. In 1849, Boots set up its first store in Nottingham and 160 years after , the brand is developing from strength to strength, both in Great Britain and around the globe . In recognition of this achievement , a three month campaign was launched in September with the launch of a historical exhibition at the University of Nottingham, followed by additionnal activities in a number of countries.Stefano Pessina is excited to continuing to create Boots as a international brand in the coming years.

In 2009, the Boots brand in the UK has continued to develop through the roll-out of the "your local Boots pharmacy" branded format, the start of BootsWebMD (the consumer health and wellness information portal), and the start of the rebranding of Dollond & Aitchison practices as Boots Opticians. Furthermore , the first stage of Boots UK's alliance with Waitrose is complete with the 13 pharmacies it operates in Waitrose stores rebranded as Boots. It is anticipated that the first trials for the sale of selective product ranges in each other's stores will start in Spring 2010.Outside the UK , the Group carries on to develop he presence of the Boots brand through the opening of new stores in the Republic of Ireland and Thailand, the roll out of the new "Boots apotek" branded format in Norway and the extension of its trial of the new "Boots apotheek" pharmacy concept in The Netherlands.

Following the launch of the Boots Laboratories skincare range in pharmacy in France and Portugal, the Group also prepares to commence this range in other countries.Stefano Pessina also reminded new collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support. Boots UK also explained an ambitious new charity partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. In the next few months , Boots and Macmillan will set up an innovative pilot aimed at supporting cancer care in in Great Britain . This will propose a new level of healthcare support to people living with cancer, through the two groups' combined healthcare experience , unique knowledge of cancer and presence in communities throughout the UK .

Boots and Macmillan will develop a range of volunteering, fundraising and communication initiatives , with a shared vision that within three years, everyone, wherever they are in the United Kingdom , will have access to the best cancer information and support in their community.Stefano Pessina, Executive Chairman, Alliance Boots, pointed out :" We are happy to be celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Boots brand and we look forward to continuing to build Boots as a global brand in the coming years ."