The retailer will no longer operate implants there and has ended a deal with AS Watson to sell Boots-branded products through the Watsons drugstore chain.
MHE Retail chairman Edward Whitefield thought the decision made sense. “Alliance Boots had a very small part to play in Hong Kong. It has critical mass in other countries, so being third or fourth in an individual market like Hong Kong is a bit of a struggle,” he said.
The retailer closed the last of its 52 implants in Hong Kong in November. It first opened in the former British colony in 2002.
Whitefield said: “The rationale is to concentrate on those areas where it has a critical mass, for example the UK, Germany and France.
“It is also looking at significant opportunities in Thailand and Vietnam and is looking at entering India.”
An Alliance Boots spokeswoman said customers in Hong Kong could still buy Boots’ products from the company’s Thai web site.
She said the decision was taken after a review of trading and the withdrawal was in line with the group’s long-term strategy.
However, the spokeswoman added that Alliance Boots will continue to expand its Hong Kong-based sourcing operation.
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