The Weston family of Canada has acquired Boots for $8.9bn (£6.74bn), purchasing the UK pharmacy and beauty retailer from longtime owner Stefano Pessina.
Wittington Investments, the holding company that controls the Westons' Canadian grocery chain Loblaws and pharmacy outlets Shoppers Drug Mart, now owns Boots' UK and Irish retail operations, its opticians chain, the No7 beauty brand, and a franchise arm in Thailand.
The Westons previously owned Selfridges, the department store, before selling it. The acquisition marks a significant reshuffling of ownership for Boots, which Pessina had backed for an extended period.