SHOPPERS at supermarket group Sainsbury's will soon be able to pick up Boots' toiletries and cosmetics along with their groceries under a trial deal between the companies.

Under the plan, Sainsbury's will sell Boots' toiletries and cosmetics in six of its out-of-town stores in a trial which could lead to a major trading agreement.

Sainsbury's said the Boots range of 10,000 health and beauty products would replace its existing range of 4,500 products, and would occupy clearly branded space in its stores.

Products will include Boots brands such as No7, Soltan and Botanics, and there will also be a pharmacy.

Customers will be able to use the loyalty schemes run by both retailers - Boots' Advantage and Sainsbury's Reward cards - on relevant purchases.

The agreement will see the first trial begin early next year.

If successful, it could lead to a trading agreement covering a substantial number of Sainsbury's larger out-of-town sites.

A Boots spokesman said that, for customers, it would be "like walking into a Boots' shop", with Boots' fixtures and fittings and Boots' staff with their own uniforms.

Steve Russell, chief executive of Boots, said: "This arrangement with Sainsbury's enables us to reach out-of-town shoppers, in line with our strategy, quickly and cost effectively.

"It will supplement our own store development programme. We believe the trial will demonstrate the benefit to both partners."

Sir Peter Davis, chief executive of Sainsbury, said: "This link brings together two well-established and highly-respected quality brands to provide an unrivalled food, health and beauty offering in the UK."

The trial follows an earlier tie-up between the pair, which saw Boots stores open on a concession basis in Sainsbury's stores, operating with separate payment points. There are currently five Boots pharmacies trading in Sainsbury's stores.

In the City, the move was seen as a good step, although analysts played down talk that it could be the precursor to a merger between the firms.

Richard Ratner, analyst at Seymour Pierce, said: "It probably makes sense, and is probably good news for Boots. But people are way off the mark to talk about a full merger.

"It is miles, miles, miles too early to talk about a merger."