The Co-operative Group has agreed a deal to sell its pharmacy chain to cash and carry owner Bestway Group for £620 million. The chain of 774 branches and 6,500 employees will be transferred in October.

Richard Pennycook, interim group chief executive of the Co-operative group, said:
"Bestway is acquiring an excellent pharmacy business characterised by the quality and professionalism of colleagues and high levels of customer service.

"Bestway in return is an ideal owner, being a strong family-run group with a proven track-record of putting the needs of customers first," he added.