MASS CHEMISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 216, 12 September 1935, Page 8

MASS CHEMISTS.

THE FIRM OF BOOTS.

OPENING IN NEW ZEALAND.

PREMISES IN AUCKLAND

"Boots, the Chemists," the largest firm of manufacturing and retail chemists in the United Kingdom, aro to commence business in New Zealand towards the end of the year. Already preliminary arrangements have been made, and large central premises in both Auckland and Wellington have been acquired. Xo capital is being sought in New Zealand. Supplies of drugs will be sent from the firm's English factories, and the executive will be members of the English staff. The lirni was founded by the late Lord Trent, who, as Jesse Boot, began life as a shop assistant in Nottingham. Saving enough to start his own business, he sold drugs for less than his competitors and I made rapid progress. Later ho began to I manufacture drugs on his own account, and in addition to these his .shops sold fancy goods and stationery, and included^ lending libraries.

At the date of Lord Trent's death in ]'J;JI the business consisted of Boots Pure Drug Company and four subsidiary companies, with a total capital of £5,000,000 and a .staff of 13,000. There were then 770 retail shops throughout the United Kingdom, and tiie number has since been substantially increased.

The extension of the business to New Zealand is .the firm's first venture in retail selling outside England. Products of the factories have been exported all over the world, but up till now no shops have been opened overseas. The firm will be known in Xew Zealand "as "Boots, the Chemists (Xew Zealand), Limited,' , which title was registered in the Dominion some years before to protect the name in the event of business transactions in the future.