ALLIANCE BOOTS is a leading global pharmaceutical and beauty care group headquartered in Bern, Switzerland. The company's main business is pharmacy-based health and beauty retailing, as well as wholesale and distribution of pharmaceuticals. United Boots is the result of a number of mergers, including Boots, a well-known health and beauty chain founded in 1849. In the 2013 World Top 500 ranking, United Boots was ranked 309th.