WH Smith has revealed a drop in High Street sales amid talks of selling 500 of its UK shops. Its High Street sales fell 6% in the 21 weeks to January 25, down 3% on the previous year. The company already has plans to close 17 UK stores in 2025, having closed 14 during the past financial year. Despite struggles on the High Street, WH Smith saw a boost from its travel arm, saying its travel business “delivered another excellent performance”, with plans to expand in the US.
The group’s chief executive, Carl Cowling, said: “The group is in a strong position, and while there is some economic uncertainty, we are confident of another year of good growth in 2025.”
The historic UK business, which was established 233 years ago, confirmed it had held talks at the weekend regarding the possibility of selling its High Street stores, which employ about 5,000 people, to focus on its travel retail business, which operates from airports, train stations, and hospitals.
It told the BBC that the post offices within 195 of its shops would remain should the sale of that part of its business goes ahead. The travel retail business side of WH Smith now accounts for more than 85% of its profit and operates 1,200 stores across 32 countries.
The company said in its latest results that it planned to open more stores in US airports. In North America, it has seen a notable shift in like-for-like revenue growth, up 3%, as a result of the actions it has taken to enhance its ranges and introduce new categories.
The retailer has “won” contracts for eight stores at Orlando airport in Florida, on top of four more stores at Portland airport in Oregon, and has plans for 60 stores in total in the US. Back in the UK, the retailer said it left the Christmas trading period on track to deliver its target of full year cost savings of £11m. Analysists have predicted its High Street business could be sold for £100m or more in the coming months. Reports have suggested private equity suitors are eyeing a deal to take control of the retailer’s shops.
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