Boots 25th Anniversary Magazine

25 YEARS | ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

Contents
4 WIN A STAY To celebrate our worked closely with our long-standing
25th anniversary one lucky Team partners and suppliers. A few of them
Member will win an overnight stay and have shared their well wishes on our
three course dinner for two people at the 25th anniversary.
Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa.
12HAPPY BIRTHDAY
5WELCOME BY STEPHEN BOOTS IRELAND This year
WATKINS Since opening our
marks our 25th anniversary in Ireland,
very first store in Dublin’s Jervis here are some highlights through the
Shopping Centre in 1996, we have years of our journey so far.
expanded to all corners of the country
and now operate 90 stores with over 16 GIVING BACK At Boots
2,200 Team Members. Ireland we are proud to be
involved in fundraising and corporate
6GREAT TEAM HR Operations social responsibility initiatives that
Manager, Rachel Nolan has worked make a real difference to the lives
for Boots Ireland for the last 24 years of our customers, patients and the
and shares her memories. communities in which we serve.

7TEAM MEMBER SUPPORT 18BUILDING A BRIGHTER
Store Manager, Susan Behan began FUTURE WITH BOOTS
working for Boots in 1996 and was
impressed by the company’s attitude Celebrating the great contribution Boots
towards training. makes to the local community with three
great champions of corporate social
8 25 YEAR’S SERVICE Colm responsibility.
Walsh has worked with Boots
Ireland for the last 25 Years and has 20 PHARMACY
been at the heart of the company since it INNOVATION Since
arrived on Irish shores.
opening in Ireland in 1996, Boots
9 IN PERSON Bernie McGaharan Ireland has been leading the way in the
began her career with Boots Ireland pharmacy landscape.
as a receptionist in the company’s first
store in Jervis Street Shopping Centre 22 2021 TIME CAPSULE
and has never looked back. This year has been a year to
remember and one day in the future,
10WELL WISHES Over the our Team Members may wonder what
last number of years we have it was like to work through these
times. So, what might we want future
generations to know about this year?

Published by Boots Ireland © The Boots Company PLC. All rights reserved. Boots.ie is a trading name of Boots Retail (Ireland)
Limited. Registered office: 2nd Floor, 5 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Citywest, Dublin 24, D24 TW13 All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. The publisher
cannot accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations. All information is correct at
time of going to press.

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 3

Win!A sEtsatyaatet HthoeteJol h&nSstpoawn

TO CELEBRATE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY
one lucky Team Member will win an
overnight stay and three course dinner for
two people in The Johnstown Estate Hotel
& Spa, Enfield, Co. Meath*.

To enter, simply answer the
following question:

What store was our first
to open in 1996?

Email your answer to:
[email protected].
Include the following details:
Name:
Store/Support Office Department:
Answer:
The closing date for entries is by December
31st, 2021 and the winner will be contacted
directly about their prize.

*T&CS: DATES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

4 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

Welcome
BOOTS IRELAND IS OFFICIALLY 25 YEARS IN IRELAND – WHAT A MILESTONE! SINCE OPENING OUR
VERY FIRST STORE IN DUBLIN’S JERVIS SHOPPING CENTRE IN 1996, WE HAVE EXPANDED TO ALL
CORNERS OF THE COUNTRY AND NOW OPERATE 90 STORES WITH OVER 2,200 TEAM MEMBERS. IT’S

BEEN AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY WE CAN ALL BE VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF.

Both retail and pharmacy have changed have put so much effort into fundraising. Thanks
immensely here in Ireland over the last to you, along with the generosity of our customers,
25 years. In that time we have been we have raised more than €2.2 million for the Night
instrumental in shaping the pharmacy Nursing Service - the equivalent of over 6,600 nights
landscape - from being the first pharmacy of nursing care for families across the country.
in Ireland to offer
services such as Winter flu Getting our business to
vaccinations, emergency this stage has taken a lot
hormonal contraception and of hard work from a huge
COVID-19 PCR testing - we number of people – every
have led the way in terms of single one of us has played
both our product and service our part. Our success in
offering. Our own brand Ireland over the last 25
ranges such as No7 and years is based on everyone
Soltan continue to go from who had the vision and
strength to strength and are the drive and who gave
now household names across so much to making us the
the country. business we are today.
We all should be particularly proud of the
work we’ve done in terms of giving back to the As you read through
communities in which we operate. Our long-standing this magazine, I hope you feel as proud as I do. I
partnership with the Irish Cancer Society has been look forward to many more successful years for our
hugely successful and down to the continued business in Ireland and would like to thank you again
dedication of you, our Team Members. You have been for your continued support and dedication.
outstanding ambassadors for our partnership and
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Managing Director, Boots Ireland

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 5

Great TEAM always a Team Member to guide you and
HR OPERATIONS MANAGER, RACHEL NOLAN CANNOT set you on the right path. I’ve always
BELIEVE THAT SHE HAS BEEN WITH BOOTS FOR SO LONG. worked with great teams who wanted to
SHE SAYS IT IS A CLICHÉ, BUT TIME REALLY IS FLYING.achel Nolan has proudly worked help each other. This idea of supporting
each other is strong within Boots.”
for Boots Ireland for the last 24
years. “I saw an advertisement FLEXIBILITY
for an Assistant Area Manager Rachel also says that the company’s

Rtraining position in Boots in 1997 flexibility regarding working hours makes
and worked on so many different things. it easier for working parents to continue to
It is one of my favourite things about the work for Boots.
company; there is always the potential to
learn something new. You will find lots “I’ve worked both part-time and full time
of Team Members who have worked here during my time in Boots. When my children
were small, I worked part-time, which was
in a recruitment supplement. for years. People who are supported will great to have the flexibility back then and
then I was able to come back full time and
I really had to think go into different roles.”

about the date; I can’t The great products available and the
local pharmacy feel
believe I have been are critical to Boots
success in Ireland,
here for so many says Rachel.
“We have so many
years. It really doesn’t gorgeous products
that make you want to
feel that long.” spend all your money;
we have a real, local
Rachel spent the feel as well. It always
feels personal when
next few years in the you come into a shop.
The Team Members in
training department stores want to get to
know their customers
as Boots expanded and want to know
what they need and, if
nationwide. we don’t have it in the
store, they will order it
“I would go to the online for you and get
it delivered straight to
new stores before your home.
That personal
they opened and do approach, being able
to get advice on a No7
induction days for the product or having the
pharmacists to give
new Team Members. you advice if you’re

After that, I moved on worried about something, having that
expertise on your doorstep means a lot to
to a Store Personnel most people.”

Manager role which After almost twenty five years with
Boots, Rachel says her Team Members
involved supporting bring her the most joy in her job.

the store management “Many people who work here are long-
time staff, and then we have lots of new
team. It was a great Team Members, but whether you are in the
business 25 years or a relatively new Team
role, and I got the Member, there is always a close-knit team.

chance to do a HR I’ve made some close friends here. It is
great to be able to say that about where
qualification at night.” you work.” n

CAREER “I’VE MADE
Rachel has worked in SOME CLOSE FRIENDS

Employee Engagement, HERE. IT IS GREAT TO give back real loyalty
Corporate Social BE ABLE TO SAY THAT and commitment to a
Responsibility and ABOUT WHERE YOU business, and Boots is a
several other roles perfect example of that.”
within the company. WORK” According to Rachel,
She says that the the process of advancing
opportunity to work in and up-skilling is made

different areas makes the accessible to allow Team

work interesting and allows Members to transition smoothly.

Team Members to learn new skills “It is great to be able to see another role

and enable them to progress within the and to give that a try. It is easy to find out

company. what we need to do and what development

“It doesn’t feel like twenty four years is needed to try out a new role. If someone

because I’ve had so many different roles asks, what support do I need? There is

6 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

years, she has trained

many Team Members

and takes pride in helping

them to develop and move

on to other areas.

“I train and support

Team Members to move

on to Healthcare or

Support Roles. I’ve moved

people on to be System

Managers and Team

Members on to be Store

TESAMupMpEMoBrtER Managers.It’sgreatseeing them progress through the company and

the confidence that people develop when

they know they are trained to handle any

situation. I love meeting Team Members

years later who are now working in different

roles and knowing that I played a small part

in supporting them. Boots supported me

when I started my career with them, and I

am passionate about returning that

support to whoever I can.”

“YOU Ensuring that customers
WOULDN’T WORK have a good experience
is high on Susan’s daily

STORE MANAGER, the Tallaght store SOMEWHERE AS LONG agenda. “I get joy
SUSAN BEHAN BEGAN WORKING opened and kept AS I HAVE WITHOUT out of people coming
FOR BOOTS IN 1996 AND WAS working my way up from BEING PASSIONATE in, particularly older
IMPRESSED BY THE COMPANY’S Assistant Supervisor ABOUT IT” couples. I want to make
sure that our customers
SATTITUDE TOWARDS TRAINING.
usan Behan, Store Manager in to Supervisor to Group are happy and that we
Newbridge, first began working Operations Manager. That do a good job. Sometimes
with Boots in 1996 when it first
opened in Ireland. As soon as she role doesn’t exist anymore, we get thank you cards or
joined the company she began
but it was a great learning chocolates. It is a great feeling to

experience. I became a Store Manager know you have helped a customer so

after that, and I believe that the training much that they want to thank you like that,

at each step helped me to become the but all customers leave a mark, and we want

manager I am today.” to help them regardless of the thank yous.”

Boots’ success is down to the company Susan says the company’s success in

her training. “We did eight weeks learning what customers want and Ireland is down to the Team Members,

of training in the Gresham Hotel before the knowing what support Team Members the extensive knowledge of beauty and

Jervis store opened. We learned everything need, explains Susan. “It is an amazing job pharmacy products, and the company always

we needed to know from customer service because there are so many opportunities being ahead of the game.

to how to stock the shelves to how to for you to move on in the company; there is “Team Members are so well trained, and

build the shelves. I was one of the lucky never a role that you can’t go for, and if you customers have come to rely on that be

ones to learn how to build a shop from the put yourself in a position that you want to it a medical question or a query about a

start, and that has stood to me throughout learn and move on, you will get the support No7 product. We also stock a lot of Irish

my career with the company. Having to do it. products, and we usually are the first to get

that operations experience helps you to My husband tells me I have my Boots new products in.

understand how a store works.” hat on when I am talking about how much Over the last twenty five years, customers

In 25 years, Susan has worked in several I love the company, but you wouldn’t work have changed. They want more on-

stores, gaining new experience and insight somewhere as long as I have without being trend products, they want great product

with each move. passionate about it.” ranges, and Boots never fails to meet their

“I worked as a Beauty Consultant when Susan also loves to give back. Over the expectations.” n

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 7

2S5ERyVeIaCErs
COLM WALSH HAS WORKED WITH BOOTS IRELAND FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS. BETWEEN OPENING FLAGSHIP STORES AND
INSPIRING NEW RECRUITS, HE HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF THE COMPANY SINCE IT ARRIVED ON IRISH SHORES.
Colm joined Boots Ireland when the
company opened its first store has remained at the company for a quarter of somewhere to buy toiletries and personal
in Ireland, located in the Jervis a century. care; it is the experience we give, especially
Centre, Henry Street, Dublin. As at this time of year as well. All over Ireland,
the company celebrates its 25th “Boots is a company that always evolves, families give each other gifts from Boots on
always stays ahead of what’s at the centre Christmas morning. It is special to be part
of healthcare. Boots brings so much to

year here, Colm, an Area Manager, the customers through both the pharmacy of that.”

looks back on his time with the company strand and the retail strand. Boots also has Colm says Boots is at the heart of

with pride. a strong corporate social responsibility communities, be it during the pandemic or at

“I qualified as a pharmacist back which is very important if you any other time.

in 1990 in Aberdeen. I worked want to bring something to “At the start of the pandemic, I drove

for Boots UK for a few years, “EVOLUTION the community, and it also around delivering medications to vulnerable
IS AT THE HEART OF THE
but I wanted to return to brings a lot to the Team patients until we had a system in place. I
Ireland. When I heard Members. If you’re a may be an Area Manager now, but pharmacy
that Boots was opening person that wants to is at the heart of who I am and what I do,

here, I contacted my COMPANY, AND THAT IS progress, Boots will give which translates into my own community.
previous line manager SOMETHING you that opportunity. I New parents text me and ask me questions.
whilst employed with am an engaged person, When you are a Boots employee, you play a

Boots UK, who contacted I LOVE” and I really enjoy the role in the business, but you also play a role
the then Store Manager progression of the in the community.”

who was going to head the company. When we opened, Colm is immensely proud of his 25 years

Jervis Street Branch in 1996. I we were an over the counter with the company and his contribution to

was the first person to join Boots and pharmacy business, but now helping Boots grow from one Irish store

Ireland officially.” we have a multitude of services, whether to ninety. He oversaw the opening of the

Colm says the company’s focus on retail, it’s the winter flu vaccination services, flagship Blanchardstown branch, which won

leadership, and organization was the big emergency contraception or ambulatory several awards under his watch.

draw and the reason he wanted to work with blood pressure. Evolution is at the heart of “For the 25th anniversary, we were asked

Boots when it opened here. the company, and that is something I love.” if there was a time capsule, what would you

“I fell in love with the company’s way of put in and why? I got a pin for my 25 years of

working. In my first couple of years as a PHARMACY SERVICE service. I said I would put it in because I hope

relief pharmacist, I had the opportunity to As a pharmacist, Colm says that the many other Team Members will feel the same

do some management programs, which led pharmacy strand of Boots is first-rate but as I do today in 25 years time”, Colm explains.

to a management role. It gave me a flavour believes the success of Boots Ireland is not “I have an ethos that the road is not

for the company, so when the company just down to the availability of products but straight ahead; it will always be curved. It is

announced it was opening here, I had to go also the experience. how you manage your way through the curve

for the job.” “Boots offer an excellent pharmacy service to get to where you want as well. It is an

Colm says people often ask him why he and the best of beauty, but it’s not just ethos that ties with how Boots operates.” n

8 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

IN Person years in Boots is the expansion of Irish

operations. “When Boots first opened,

we were tied to the Head Office in the

UK. When I went into the Support Offices

in 2007, we just had two administrators

and a small HR team. Today we have fifty

Team Members in our Support Office here,

and we have our own Marketing team, so

everything is based around Ireland. It is

great that we have a dedicated team here

to support our Irish business.”

Customers also have greater expectations

than they did when the company first

opened here. “Their expectations are a

lot higher, and we need to meet those

demands. Customers are always looking

for new products, and Boots is continually

bringing in new products. You have to

keep up with what the customer wants;

BERNIE MCGAHARAN BEGAN HER CAREER WITH BOOTS IRELAND AS they will go elsewhere if we don’t do it. At
A RECEPTIONIST IN THE COMPANY’S FIRST STORE IN JERVIS STREET the moment, there is a big shift towards

SHOPPING CENTRE AND HAS NEVER LOOKED BACK.ernie McGaharan lived in Tallaght organic products, fewer plastics, and
packaging. People are concerned about that
so as soon as Boots announced so retailers have to be aware of that and
that it was opening its second have to adapt, which Boots also manages
Irish store there she transferred to do.” Bernie believes that Boots’ small
business feel is what makes it stand out
Bin January 1997 to reduce her from its competitors. “Boots is a big
for new positions, especially if they feel company, but it feels personal. Whether
that you have the aptitude. I never thought you go into the largest store or the
I would work in retail, but once I got into
the store environment, I enjoyed it and was
encouraged to go for training opportunities

commute. and promotions. After my time as smallest, you get the sense that it is

“ I had never worked in retail, but I Assistant Manager in Tallaght, a local pharmacy. That has to do

saw an advertisement in the paper for a I worked as the Store with the people that work in

receptionist’s job. I did all of the usual Manager in Nutgrove for THERE IS the pharmacies and in the
reception work, answering calls, doing two years.” ALWAYS PLENTY retail side of the stores.
payroll and making announcements over OF ENCOURAGEMENT Even going into Liffey
the tannoy, which was always fun.” Bernie says that TO MOVE ON AND Valley, which is our
during her time in retail, IMPROVE” biggest store in Ireland,
“At that time, Tallaght was a much she enjoyed helping

smaller store, so there wasn’t an admin customers but says that it’s still very personal.”
role as such. I did payroll and cash until her main interest lay in That local feel runs
eventually, Boots had four branches in the the operational end of across the board, and

area, and I became Assistant Manager.” things. “That is one of the Bernie says her favourite

Bernie says that there is a great support great things about Boots. I part of the job is working

system for any Team Member who wants to got the chance to work in other with her Team Members. “The

progress within the company. areas, but my real interest was in people I have worked with from day

“There is always plenty of encouragement getting the stuff on the shelves, making one are just lovely. The Leadership Team

to move on and improve, even within the sure the stock figures were correct. I really are also approachable and down to earth;

Support Office which works behind the enjoy helping customers, but I am more of nobody ever says that is below me or I am

scenes, and in the stores. Management a background person. I moved back into a not doing that. The highest of managers

is always looking out for talent, Team Support Role in 2007, and I have been here will hop on a till just the same as one of the

Members who can move up the ranks. If ever since.” Team Members in the store; you don’t get

it is not something you considered, the One of the most significant changes that that type of environment in many other big

leadership team will encourage you to try Bernie has seen over the last twenty-five companies.” n

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 9

Well WISHES
OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH OUR
LONG-STANDING PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS. A FEW OF THEM HAVE SHARED
THEIR WELL WISHES ON OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

FIONA FOLEY AVERIL POWER mental health in Ireland with the goal of
Dementia: Understand Together in CEO, Irish Cancer Society ending mental health stigma. Boots has
Communities On behalf of everyone at the Irish strongly committed to creating change
The Dementia: Understand Together Cancer Society, I would like to extend within the workplace and has massively
Campaign send their sincere our warmest congratulations to the supported the See Change training
Boots team for celebrating 25 years consistently across its Team Members in
congratulations to Boots in Ireland, and for everything you the last four years. It’s heartening to see
and all Team Members have achieved in that time. Since organisations like Boots get behind their
on their celebration our partnership began in 2012, your Team Members and the important message
of 25 years in incredible support has made a lasting that there’s no shame in having a mental
Ireland. impact on those affected by cancer health difficulty.
Boots has been in Ireland. Not only have you helped
at the heart of to raise €2.2 million, contributing We would like to thank the entire team
communities for to more than 6,600 nights of Night at Boots for their continued support and
all this time, and Nursing care for families across the dedication to normalising conversations
we are delighted to country, you also provide vital care about mental health in the workplace and
partner together to and advice to cancer patients in in our communities. We look forward to
communities nationwide through your continuing our partnership with Boots for
also ensure that people network of Boots Irish Cancer Society many years to come.
with dementia and their families are information pharmacists and beauty
supported and can stay included and advisors. TOMÁS SERCOVICH
connected in their local communities.   Business in the Community Ireland
Thank you for your continued, The footprint of Boots in Ireland goes
You and your teams have wholeheartedly generous support of cancer patients beyond its stores and its people. Business
embraced the call to action, to help raise and their families across Ireland. in the Community Ireland has been proud to
awareness and understanding for dementia. support Boots on their
It is incredible to see that over 98 per cent responsible business
of Team Members are trained in dementia agenda over the
awareness, and you have given voice to years.
people with dementia at your conferences,
focus groups and other events, ensuring Some
that their lived experience guides updates in highlights
store environments and most importantly include: 
your personal interactions. >>Certification
to the Business
Thank you for this partnership. We look Working
forward to the next 25 years. Responsibly Mark -
the first retailer in Ireland
BARBARA BRENNAN to achieve this third party verified standard
See Change for responsible business practice.
On behalf of See Change, I would like >>Engagement on education - linking eight
to congratulate everyone at Boots on stores with DEIS schools across Ireland,
celebrating 25 years of business in Ireland. providing valuable insights to students into
the world of work.
Boots has been a >>BITC Low Carbon Pledge signatory in
key partner for See 2021
Change since 2017, >>Support on marginalised employment -
distributing thousands linking with the Ready for Work programme
of Green Ribbons in for people with disabilities and high barriers
stores nationwide to
raise awareness about

10 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

to employment. TEAM TANKIND LINDA STINSON
The Boots partnership with the Irish (TanOrganic) Bellamianta
Wow, 25 years? Where has the Huge Congratulations to all of the team at
Cancer Society stands-out as one of time gone? We appreciate and are Boots on a fantastic 25 years in business
the most inspirational programmes we very grateful for the continued in Ireland. We here at Bellamianta have
have helped establish. It is a unique and support by everyone at Boots Ireland loved working alongside you for the
powerful programme that has redefined to help us change the world one last number of years and cannot wait to
community partnerships in Ireland and golden glow at a time. We would continue to grow together in the future.
has benefitted so many people and like to directly thank all Boots Team All of the best wishes and success for
communities. Members for everything they do the next 25 years and beyond. No doubt
to help get TanOrganic into the you will continue to grow and reach new
We want to congratulate Boots on their hands of customers whether its heights as you’ve always done. 
first 25 years in Ireland! We look forward booking in stock, filling shelves or
to our continued partnership. Thanks for recommending TanOrganic as the best ICONIC BRONZE
being a great partner! Irish self-tanner on the market (bonus Happy Birthday Boots from all of us
points for this one) none of it goes at Iconic Bronze! We’ve loved working
TOPBRANDS unnoticed. We look forward to another with you over the
We would like to congratulate the Boots glowing 25 years together! years and cannot
wait to continue
team on the 25th LEE STAFFORD to do so. Huge
anniversary of Sending huge congratulations to Congratulations
Boots Ireland. on all of your
What a beautiful Boots Ireland for reaching a outstanding
milestone! monumental milestone success over the
birthday. 25 years of last 25 years, and we cannot wait to see
Without your open doors on the everything you have in store for the next
commitment and enthusiasm we would high streets of Ireland 25! Here’s to all of the team across the
not have achieved such good sales is an incredible globe and wishing you all of the success
results last year with our local Irish achievement. Boots for the future. n
gifting. We are very proud of this stores have been home
and want to thank you all for your to Lee Stafford hair
effort. Enjoy this special day! care for over 20 years
and I am so proud to be
BBOLD
We would like to extend a massive one of the many fantastic
congratulations to the entire exclusive brands stocked there. 
Boots Ireland team on their 25th
year anniversary! 25 years of providing Wishing the Boots Ireland team a very
smiles and care for local communities is happy 25th birthday. I would like to thank
an incredible achievement, and one that each and every Team Member within the
doesn’t go unnoticed, especially over hardworking and passionate teams for all
the past few challenging years. We are of their support over the years. Looking
delighted to be a part of your journey and forward to continuing to work together for
many more years to come.
hope to be for
many more
years to come.

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 11

Our Reward
Manager, Laura
Gargan took part
in a fashion show
for the launch of
Mini Mode for
Mothercare in The
Square Tallaght

12 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

HBaOpOpTySBIREirLtAhNdDay
THIS YEAR MARKS OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN IRELAND AND
WHAT AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN! LET’S
TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK OVER OUR JOURNEY SO FAR …

1996
Our first store opens in Dublin’s Jervis
Shopping Centre.

1998
Our first flagship store opens in Liffey
Valley Shopping Centre.

We acquire HCR & Connors pharmacies.

2004
Our Advantage Card launches. Today we
have almost 930,000 active Advantage
Card customers and is recognised as one of
Ireland’s most loved loyalty schemes.

2007
Launch of No7 Perfect and Protect Serum.
BBC’s Horizon documentary claimed it the
only product on the market to have anti-
aging effects.

2008
Our first pharmacy service launched –
Healthy Heart Service.

Our 50th store opens in Donnybrook.

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 13

2010
We became the first pharmacy to launch a
Winter Flu Vaccination Service.

2011
We were the first pharmacy to launch an
Emergency Hormonal Contraception Service
– improving access for women across the
country.

2012
We amalgamate our two stores in
Blanchardstown Shopping into one and
open our new flagship store.

We partner with the Irish Cancer Society.
Through the partnership, we commit to
increasing awareness, helping support
people affected by cancer and promoting
cancer prevention.

Our first Boots Night Walk takes place.

2013
Boots Ireland is the first retailer to be
awarded a Business Working Responsibly
mark.

Boots.ie launched in Ireland offering our
customers the opportunity to buy health,
beauty and baby products online.

We launched the Boots Cancer Beauty
Advisor role. Today we have 61 Cancer
Beauty Advisors.

2014
Launch of No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced
serums with ground-breaking claims,
featuring real women including an Irish
woman in the advertising campaign.

Boots Omni Centre Santry wins Store of
the Year in UK and Ireland.

Our ‘Order & Collect’ service launches in
Ireland.

2015
Launch of Irish Cancer Society Information
Pharmacist role. Today we have 185 located
across the country.

Our new flagship app is launched in
Ireland. Working in conjunction with the
Boots Advantage Card, the app gives
customers access to personalised offers
completely tailored to them and the
products they love.

14 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

2015
Boots launches Parenting Club in Ireland, an
online resource and hub of information which
also offers fantastic value to members.

2016
Our new Feel Good Specialist strategy
launches and our first Irish television ad
‘Soft Play Pharmacy airs.

We celebrate 20 years in Ireland.

2017
Westport is crowned Store of the Year in UK
and Ireland.

2018
Boots is announced as the main sponsor of
Daffodil Day.

2019
We open our brand-new store of the
future on Dawson Street in Dublin city
centre.

We launch our Travel Vaccination service.

Boots Ireland is awarded the Outstanding
Achievement in Corporate Social
Responsibility Award at Chambers Ireland’s
CSR Awards. 

2020
We become the first pharmacy in Ireland
to offer COVID-19 PCR testing Service in
stores.

2021
Boots Ireland is confirmed as the largest
pharmacy chain offering COVID-19
vaccinations.

We open our 90th store in Ireland in Abbey
Street, Wicklow Town.

The Jervis Street team administer our first
COVID-19 vaccination.

We announced that more than €2.2 million
has been raised the Night Nursing service,
the equivalent of over 6,600 nights of
nursing care for families across the country.

We launch medicines online.

We unveil our newly revamped Beauty Hall in
Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

NOVEMBER 2021
We celebrate 25 years in Ireland n

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 15

GivingBACK
AT BOOTS IRELAND WE ARE PROUD TO BE INVOLVED IN
VARIOUS FUNDRAISING AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
INITIATIVES THAT HAVE MADE, AND CONTINUE TO MAKE, A REAL
DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF OUR CUSTOMERS, PATIENTS AND
THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE SERVE. THE SUCCESS OF THIS OVER
THE YEARS IS DOWN TO YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT
AND DEDICATION. WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU - THANK
YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!

16 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 17

BriWBgUIhTIHLteDBrINOFGOuTASture
CELEBRATING THE GREAT CONTRIBUTION BOOTS MAKES TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH THREE GREAT
CHAMPIONS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYs a health and beauty retailer and

pharmacy chain, we pride ourselves
on our position as both a community
support centre and a resource for

Amedical help and education. Since
customers has been a non-negotiable for us. the forefront of the agenda. With the support
Meet Head of HR and CSR Leader, Martha of our incredible Team Members, we execute
Ryan and CSR Managers Louise O’Brien and our plans under four key pillars: Healthy
Maeve McNamara – three Team Members Communities, Healthy Planet, Sustainable
that have worked tirelessly on bettering the Marketplace and Healthy and Inclusive

1996, having a positive impact communities around them through their day Workplace. Collaborating with various charities

on community has been at the core of who jobs at Boots. In joining the company, each of and NGO’s to bring awareness to causes we

we are as an organisation. Now, with the these three women were drawn to the ethos care about underpins our work within CSR and

incredible dedication of our teams and local of putting people first. For Martha, knowing as a healthcare provider we have a key role to

communities, we’re able to continue giving how everything we do impacts directly on the play under the Healthy Communities pillar.

back to those who matter most – our health and wellbeing of patients, customers

customers. and Team Members, for Maeve looking on IRISH CANCER SOCIETY

Being a part of peoples’ lives in a positive at the amazing moves being made towards One of our key charity partners that we work

way is a big driving force behind the existence sustainability and responsible business with is the Irish Cancer Society. Louise shares

of the company. Whether it be as your first practice and for Louise understanding the why this work is so impactful, “All funds

port of call for supplies, a reliable resource for significant impact we are making through our raised go to the Irish Cancer Society Night

advice and consultancy or a friendly face to partnership with the Irish Cancer Society – Nursing service who provide up to ten nights

chat to, we want to be there when it matters Boots has always cared, and it shows. of free ‘end of life’ care, allowing patients to

most. That’s why hiring passionate people From as early as we began in business, spend their final days at home surrounded

that share the same love for the brand as our corporate social responsibility has been at by their family and loved ones. This is a very

18 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

special service available across Ireland and can make a real difference to their
educational focus. The students
makes a real difference to so many patients We know that cancer isn’t the only fight our are always surprised how many
diverse roles there are and how
and their families.” Through the work of our community members are facing. Working many people it takes to run a
store!”
Team Members and the unwavering support with the Dementia: Understand Together
SUSTAINABILITY
of the public, over €2.2million has been campaign by providing awareness training to As part of our engagement on biodiversity,
Boots has helped support the installation
raised equating to over 6,600 nights of care Team Members and highlighting our support of five beehives on the City West Campus,
where our Support Office is located. The
in the course of the partnership since 2012. through the wearing of an Understand beehives are managed by AABees and
the plan is to share stories with our Team
We have also extended our support for the Together Badge, we aim to help people Members on the important role of pollinating
insects and the need to protect them and
partnership as the main sponsor of Daffodil dealing with the disease continue with their their habitats. We also hope to have a few
jars of Boots Honey soon too!
Day for the past four years. everyday activity of shopping, by being a
We are proud to say we have just been
Whilst survival rates are increasing, current Dementia inclusive retailer. accredited for the fourth time with BITC’s
Business Working Responsibly Mark, this is
predictions indicate that 1 in 2 of us See Change is Ireland’s organisation the only certified and independently audited
standard for sustainable business in Ireland.
will receive a cancer diagnosis dedicated to ending the stigma We were the first retailer in Ireland to achieve
this back in 2013 and we’re over the moon
within our lifetime. The work towards mental health and, we to have been re-accredited with it again,
reaffirming how imbedded CSR is in our
we do with the Irish Cancer are proud to have partnered business and how importance it is to us all.

Society has never been with them since 2017. This GRATEFUL
“I am incredibly proud to lead the CSR
more important and involves two aspects both agenda at Boots working alongside Louise
and Maeve who work tirelessly day in day
so too are our cancer in helping to de-stigmatise out to deliver our strategic intent across
all four pillars. I am also grateful to have
support roles instore, - mental health in the the full support of my peers in the Irish
Leadership Team who are dedicated to
our Boots Irish Cancer workplace and also as a leaving a sustainable legacy and are firm
advocates of CSR and the role Boots
Society Information distributor on their Green Ireland plays” says Martha. “However,
I would like to acknowledge that none
Pharmacists and our Boots Ribbon campaign with of it would be possible without the
commitment, dedication and passion of our
Cancer Beauty Advisors ribbons throughout the month Team Members across the business who
champion CSR and are the driving force
. These teams are on hand LOUISE O’BRIEN of September. The wearing of the behind everything we do, ultimately making
to support and offer advice on Green ribbon which is the symbol a difference in the lives of our patients,
customers and team members alike. As we
how best to manage the side for Mental Health awareness look back on 25 years of business in Ireland,
we can really see the impact we have made
effects of treatment, to offer encourages conversations and it’s something we should be really proud
of. Whilst we live in an ever-changing world,
a listening ear or to direct and shows openness to talk in the realm of corporate social responsibility,
our future looks bright as we continue to
and link patients in with about it in turn helping to champion everyone’s right to feel good.” n

relevant services. We de-stigmatise it. Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 19

understand how coping Underpinning one of

with a disease like cancer our commitments to

can make you feel far helping young people in

removed from the person the community fulfil their

you were before diagnosis. potential, our involvement

Our Boots Cancer Beauty in the Business in the

Advisors can help to manage MAEVE MCNAMARA Community Ireland’s (BITCI)
the visible side effects of World of Work program has

treatment and make patients feel been pivotal. Managing this

like themselves again. Both partnership, Maeve speaks on

services are free of charge the real impact it has on the

and whilst no appointment generations of tomorrow:

is needed to speak with “Everyone involved

the pharmacists, the ‘Feel appreciates the importance

More Like You Again’ of helping young people

service is available in reach their potential

selected stores and can be and we understand from

booked online either as a our work with BITCI how

face-to-face consultation or important these touchpoints

as a virtual appointment. are for students and how they

MARTHA RYAN

PHARIMnACnYovation
BOOTS FIRST OPENED IN IRELAND IN 1996 AT THE JERVIS CENTRE, knowledge behind us to implement a new
HENRY STREET, DUBLIN. IT WAS JUST THE FIRST OF 90 STORES WHICH OPERATE vaccination service, and we knew we had
NATIONWIDE TODAY. TWENTY FIVE YEARS LATER, THE COMPANY IS LEADING the expertise in our pharmacy population to
deliver COVID vaccinations.”
THE WAY IN HOW PHARMACIES OPERATE.
Caoimhe says that despite having
Caoimhe McCauley is the Director also in the whole pharmacy and healthcare successful yearly vaccination programmes,
of Pharmacy and Superintendent sector that continues to evolve. Over the last the pandemic initially presented challenges to
Pharmacist at Boots Ireland. She ten years, we have led the way in vaccinating their pharmacists and pharmacy teams.
has been working with the company people against a range of diseases including
for 14 years, and in that time, flu, pneumococcal shingles, travel-related “Customers expected our Team Members
she has seen the introduction of illnesses to COVID-19”. to know a lot of the answers in what was an
several innovative programs. Caoimhe says unknown journey. That tells us how much
that there has been a shift in the public’s In 2010 Boots became the first pharmacy to the public has come to rely on our services.
perception of their pharmacist in recent years. launch a Winter Flu vaccination service. As things became clearer, the support
Once it was all prescriptions and over-the- The experience of the programme from the public when we started to provide
counter medications, people now turn to their helped Boots to introduce a COVID testing and COVID vaccinations
pharmacist for specialist advice, vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccination service
and more. successfully. was overwhelming. Our patients felt
comfortable that they could come
Caoimhe began her career with Boots as a “We had the confidence to us as a place of expertise
Relief Pharmacist in the company’s Dundalk that we had led the way in that area, and that comes
store. She moved through several different in our other services. We from their experience of
roles in both the pharmacy and retail sectors were comfortable that our expertise from the
before attaining her current position. we understood what the services we rolled out in
parameters were around the the previous years.”
“I have seen changes in the company but new service, that we had the Changes were already
happening in how
customers interact with
pharmacy teams regarding

CAOIMHE MCCAULEY

20 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

their health, but the pandemic brought “We have constantly listened to our customers needed to know that their local
about new changes, says Caoimhe. customers and to our patients to understand pharmacist was still that place of support
what is important to them, both within and safety for them to help them with any
“The last year and a half through the Boots brand and within the healthcare questions that they had.”
the COVID pandemic have heightened and pharmacy space. You see that through
customers’ awareness of their healthcare our constant innovation. We always try to FRONTLINE SERVICES
and medical needs and has propelled implement new services and changes for For many, a trip to the pharmacy is the first
that thought of being in control of their our patients and our customers, and we are port of call for minor injuries, but sometimes
healthcare. Customers are more proactive in continually trying to find new ways to help people come in with bigger concerns.
their approach to making sure that they stay support them with their healthcare needs.” “Our pharmacists are trained in terms of
well, and they stay healthy.” providing elements of emergency medical
“I think it is fair to say we are at the care like providing CPR, as well determining
Once people sought advice for a specific forefront of healthcare, whether that is from if something is treatable in a community
ailment or condition, now they are taking a launching our flu vaccination service to our
more holistic approach and want information emergency hormonal contraception to the pharmacy setting. If not,
to keep themselves well and prevent Irish Cancer Society and right through to they will help the patient
potential illnesses. being the first pharmacy to offer COVID-19 get referred either to their
tasks and services.” GP or to A&E, but we
“We have noticed a big shift in people do find that patients will
who come to us wanting to know how to Caoimhe says the company continues to come to us first with minor
help protect themselves from any future emergencies such as burns.”
illnesses. Whether that is strive to make itself better and determining
getting the flu vaccine or patient needs is vital. Team Member training
getting vitamins to help and progression is
themselves maintain a “The pandemic showed us how quickly another key element of
healthy immune system or things can change, and it proved how quickly the company. According
asking for general advice we can adapt. We had numerous vulnerable to Caoimhe: “From the
around what healthy steps customers who had to cocoon due to various pharmacy specific point
that they can take in terms of health conditions or age. At the start, we of view, each pharmacist
their overall wellbeing.” reached out to our patients to say; we have is obliged to carry out
your medicine here, we know you always continual professional
CANCER CARE come to us, are you okay? Is there anything development and to remain
In 2015, Boots launched you need; how do you want us to help a competent pharmacist on the register of
a new support and advice organise getting this medicine to you? We the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. We
service in Association with linked in with some local support groups also provide postgraduate opportunities to
the Irish Cancer Society. to organize delivery for our patients who our pharmacists. Each year four pharmacists
Pharmacists are trained couldn’t leave their homes.” are offered the opportunity to complete
to help people affected by the Cardiology in Clinical Pharmacy
cancer. Advice ranges from the side effects Boots also introduced a new medicines Practice Module delivered by the School of
of treatment to providing support and online service to all customers to purchase Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin.
practical tips on living with cancer. Trained over the counter medications for delivery. There are also two postgraduate MSc
members of the team can also direct cancer People who could go out also needed positions on offer. The first is the Masters
patients to additional supports that are support and reassurance, which Caoimhe by Research with the Royal College of
available. According to Caoimhe, having says Boots was able to provide. Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and the other is
somewhere to turn when you need help can an MSc in Clinical Pharmacy at University
make a real difference to people affected “Plenty of customers wanted the College Cork.”
by cancer. “We have provided training to reassurance of having someone to listen On a personal level, Caoimhe says
all of our pharmacists to support any of to them in such a time of uncertainty. Our that Boots care for their patients, their
our customers who are affected by cancer, customers, and their Team Members which
not just those who have cancer, but also is what makes the company a great place
their family members. We provide support, to work. “As a pharmacist, care is one of
practical tips, and advice, but actually just my core principles; it’s something that’s
being there to listen can be as important as important to me, so when I can see that
the advice. Our customers know that they value replicated in the company that I work
will get trusted advice, we’re here to listen, for, that makes me want to stay and play my
and we’re here to help and support in any part as best as I can.” n
way we can.”

After twenty five years, Boots Ireland is
a much-loved company. Caoimhe says that
the company ethos of listening to customers
is one of the main reasons why it is so
successful.

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 21

2021TIME CAPSULE

2021 HAS BEEN A YEAR TO REMEMBER AND ONE DAY IN
THE FUTURE, OUR TEAM MEMBERS MAY WONDER WHAT IT WAS
LIKE TO WORK THROUGH THESE TIMES. SO, WHAT MIGHT WE WANT
FUTURE GENERATIONS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR? WE SPOKE
TO MEMBERS OF THE IRISH LEADERSHIP TEAM ALONG WITH OUR
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAMS AND ASKED, ‘IF YOU COULD LEAVE
BEHIND AN OBJECT THAT SPOKE OF 2021, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

STEPHEN WATKINS Managing Director team did over the last year.  Through a global took place on June
I would like to include a screenshot of the pandemic and with changes within the team 17 2021. It was a
ILT on a Teams meeting with a card attached during that time, along with remote working, historic moment for us as a company and
to it saying ‘you’re on mute!’ as this way of they showed resilience and dedication to one we will never forget.
working was adopted very quickly across the their roles and to the brand. 
team with some things like coming off mute PAT LAFFEY Head of Property & Operations
hard to remember. I hope when people read MARTHA RYAN Head of Human Resources I’d like to include a signed copy of our Low
this in years to come that there is a new and and CSR Lead Carbon Pledge, which has seen us pledging
much more inventive way to meet virtually. I would include the Prescribe Kindness pin a 50% reduction of Greenhouse Gases
issued to all Team Members in recognition of by 2030 and net zero by 2050. In twenty
LINDA NOLAN Head of Marketing how we maintained kindness as a core value, five years’ time I hope we will have already
I would like to include our Best of the demonstrating kindness to our patients, achieved these goals.
Best award which we won this year for customers and each other throughout the
the best team – Ireland Marketing team, COVID-19 pandemic. JOE SCALLAN Head of Stores
between Boots UK and Ireland.  It was I’d like to include a picture that was taken of
tough competition with brilliant and strong CAOIMHE MCAULEY Director of Pharmacy myself along with the team in our Grafton
nominations across all of Boots UK & and Superintendent Pharmacist Street store in March 2020 – the very
Ireland.  It’s an award I am hugely proud of I’m including a picture of our Pharmacist beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in
and demonstrates the hard work the entire Caoimhe Cleary in Jervis administering Ireland. A national lockdown had just begun,
our first ever COVID-19 vaccination which and the city centre streets were empty. A

22 Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary

sight I hope we’ll never have to see again. LOUISE BRENNAN Area Manager, STEPHEN LOONEY General Manager,
Dublin City Jervis Street
MICHELLE KEARNS Head of IT I’d like to place my ‘heels’ in it. I’ll never I’m including a boots.ie box and some
I’d like to include a bottle of hand sanitizer. forget the eerie silence walking through tape. On the back of the online demand
A product that was like gold dust at the the city centre, on occasion being the
start of the pandemic! It’s something we all only one person walking down Grafton during the COVID-19 pandemic,
carry around with us now and a reminder of Street in the height of lockdown! A surreal Jervis street launched our
the times we are in. experience!  very own Hub & Spoke
operation, picking
SHANE MCARDLE Director of Finance and MARK MCCASKER Area Manager, South all the orders and
Brexit Readiness Lead I am including a syringe to collecting orders for
I’d like to include a UK/ European (Brexit) represent the number of the whole country.
token or poll results that took the UK from patients we have been We’ve picked over
the EU, so that future generations can see able to vaccinate 60,000 parcels
the power of using your voice, but also to against COVID-19 to date! I’m
look a little bit deeper than what you’re and flu in our extremely proud
being told by politicians – be curious! stores. of what the team
delivered and the
LORRAINE RAFFERTY JEFF DURCAN contribution we
Area Manager, North Area Manager, made to the business
I’d like to include a HGV driver and truck to West in our 25th Anniversary
remind us of the knock-on effects of Brexit I would like to year. 
and how many of our deliveries that got include our ‘Let’s
held up at customs. The impact this had Shop Safe’ guidance PAMELA MOONEY General Manager,
on our stores receiving no deliveries some documents as it will Blanchardstown
days and then 3 days’ worth on others. I serve as a reminder to I’m putting my mam’s memorial card in.
certainly hope 25 years later our deliveries our teams the challenges She passed away last year and although
are running like clockwork. we had in stores to keep our we were all going through so much during
customers and teams safe every day. COVID, the love and support I got from
COLM WALSH Area Manager, Greater my colleagues (both store, regional and
Dublin GERALDINE BRANNIGAN General support office) will stay in my heart forever
I am including my Best of the Best and 25 Manager, Liffey Valley and I will never forget how much we all care
Year Anniversary Pins as both meant so A mask is definitely an item I’d like to for each other. n
much to me to earn in 2021 and before. I include. The last 12 months have been such
do hope many more colleagues have had a change for the team and these masks
the opportunity to celebrate like I did and have been so important in terms of keeping
feel so proud of the company we have been both Team Members and customers safe.
a part of for our patients, customers and They have now become part of our uniform.
communities across Ireland.

Boots Ireland 25th Anniversary 23

25 YEARS | ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE