Sigma Healthcare says it is in talks over Boots acquisition, then later withdraws

Australian pharmacy retailer Sigma Healthcare, which operates Chemist Warehouse, first confirms it is engaged in preliminary discussions regarding a potential purchase of UK pharmacy chain Boots. Multiple outlets report the discussions relate to Boots’ sale process and describe the proposed deal value in the billions of dollars, with one report citing a $14.2 billion figure. However, subsequent reporting indicates Sigma Healthcare later pulls out of the talks. The outlets agree that the company’s involvement changes from being in “preliminary discussions” or talks to withdrawing from the process. No sources provided in this set detail the reason for the withdrawal or whether Boots is pursuing alternative bidders. Overall, the reporting covers both the initial confirmation of interest in Boots and the later decision to end participation in the acquisition discussions, leaving the status of any deal unresolved based on these articles alone.