Retail’s last barbarian takes on Walgreens Boots
Behind the Money26 Maalis 2025

Retail’s last barbarian takes on Walgreens Boots

Years ago, an ailing company like Walgreens Boots Alliance may have seemed like a prime acquisition target for deal-hungry private equity firms. But many have backed away from retail recently, leaving an opening for groups like Sycamore Partners who are willing to buck the trend. Sycamore announced this month that it would take the global pharmacy business private in a $23.7bn debt and equity deal. The FT’s Due Diligence reporter, Amelia Pollard, explains the well-worn playbook that Sycamore has used on past retail companies, and whether it will work this time with a chain that has its own share of unique problems.


Clips from Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For further reading:

Retail’s last barbarian: the private equity group about to play hardball with Boots

What went wrong after Walgreens bought Boots?

Walgreens bondholders could be winners from its debt-laden buyout

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Follow Amelia Pollard (@ameliajpollard) on X or (@pollard.bsky.social) on Bluesky. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.


For more from Amelia and her team, sign up for the Due Diligence newsletter.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(318)

The unravelling of the Ant IPO

The unravelling of the Ant IPO

The IPO of Jack Ma's Ant Group would have been the largest in history: it was expected to raise $37bn at a valuation of $316bn. But just days before the stock market listing, China called it off. The ...

18 Marras 202018min

An economic uncoupling

An economic uncoupling

Tensions between Washington and Beijing are beginning to resemble a new cold war. Could the complex supply chains built up over a generation that produce Apple's iPhone and other electronics soon be u...

11 Marras 202022min

US election programming note

US election programming note

There is no episode of Behind the Money this week. Here is a preview of what we are working on for next week. Review Clips: C-SPAN, CNBC, Dallas Morning News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

4 Marras 20201min

Direct lending rush

Direct lending rush

The pandemic docked Carnival’s cruise ships and grounded Bombardier’s planes. But when the companies were in need of cash, one went to the bond market and the other to a direct lender. Robert Smith, F...

28 Loka 202022min

Bank profits in a recession

Bank profits in a recession

The market volatility of the past few months has been a boon for the trading divisions of many Wall Street banks, including Morgan Stanley. Laura Noonan, the FT’s US banking editor, explains how succe...

21 Loka 202018min

LVMH, Tiffany and a case of buyer’s remorse

LVMH, Tiffany and a case of buyer’s remorse

Bernard Arnault built a €210bn luxury empire through an unflinching acquisition strategy that earned him the “wolf in cashmere” moniker. Tiffany, famous for its robin-egg blue boxes and diamond engage...

14 Loka 202022min

Mafia high finance

Mafia high finance

While reporting on the coronavirus crisis in northern Italy this year, Rome correspondent Miles Johnson discovered an equally concerning story in the country’s south. Italy’s most powerful organised c...

7 Loka 202019min

We're back with a new season

We're back with a new season

Episodes will be released weekly starting Wednesday October 7. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Syys 202057s

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-rahamania
rss-sisalto-kuntoon
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
rss-lahtijat
hyva-paha-johtaminen
rss-startup-ministerio
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
rss-seuraava-potilas
lakicast
herrasmieshakkerit
leadcast
rahapuhetta
rss-porssipuhetta
rss-rentotapaus
rss-tyoelamasta-podcast
rss-viisas-raha-podi