Boots shoppers have given the thumbs up to the extended food offer currently being trialled with Musgrave GB.

A Him! poll of 150 consumers who had just shopped at one of the trial stores found that 58% were ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to buy grocery items from the new Boots range in the future.

Some 68% thought it would be a good idea for Boots to act like a c-store two thirds said they were most likely to buy milk and bread and 75% thought the £10 meal deal on trial in the maxi stores was good value.

Donal Horgan, MD of Musgrave Retail Partners GB, said he was pleased with the findings. “With our supply partnership with Boots still in the early days of the trial, it is very encouraging to see the positive reaction of shoppers,” he said.

“It is essential to have the right range for the everyday shopper. Clearly Boots has made good progress to date.”

Him! insights director Katie Littler agreed the results were promising. “We think Boots could soon be a significant new contender in the UK convenience landscape,” she said. “Walgreens, which now owns a 45% share in Boots, already gives 15% of its store space to food in the US.”

Boots launched the grocery trial in 11 stores in September. Eight stores stock a 200 sq ft ‘mini format’ featuring more than 130 lines including ready meals, fruit & veg, salad, desserts, tea and coffee.

The remaining three follow a 750 sq ft ‘maxi format’ boasting more than 800 lines including meat, fish, breakfast, dairy, ambient and household goods.

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