WH Smith
This coverage examines WH Smith’s operations and strategy within the UK retail sector, focusing on travel and high-street store performance, product range adaptations, supply chain logistics, and digital initiatives. Reporting highlights leadership decisions, market positioning, and consumer trends, offering insights for retail executives, category managers, and professionals in travel and convenience retail.
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Oct- 2025 -29 OctoberHigh Street
WH Smith postpones results amid accounting error
WH Smith has postponed its full-year results following an accounting error that saw its US profits be overstated by around £30m.In an update, the company said that its preliminary results for the financial year ended 31 August 2025, which were previously set to be announced on 12 November 2025, are…
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22 OctoberOnline & Digital
Virgin Wines FY profits dip 5% to £1.6m amid cost pressures
Virgin Wines UK has reported a 5% fall in profits before tax to £1.6m in the year ended 28 June, as cost pressures linked to government policy weighed on margins. According to the wine retailer, most of its cost increases stemmed from a rise in alcohol duty and a new…
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Sep- 2025 -18 SeptemberHigh Street
Modella Capital leads race to acquire Claire’s UK arm
Modella Capital is leading the race to acquire the UK arm of Clire’s, after reportedly agreeing the outline of a deal with Ames Watson, the new US-based owner of Claire’s, Sky News has reported. The London-based investor, which bought WH Smith’s high street business earlier this year, is said to…
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8 SeptemberHigh Street
Modella and Doug Putman vie for collapsed Claire’s UK stores
Modella Capital along with Doug Putman, the businessman who rescued HMV, are both reportedly bidding to take over Claire’s UK operations after the fashion accessories chain fell into administration, according to Sky News. Modella Capital, which this year agreed to buy WH Smith’s 480 UK high street stores and plans…
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Aug- 2025 -15 AugustOnline & Digital
WH Smith completes Funky Pigeon sale
WH Smith has confirmed that it has completed the sale of Funky Pigeon to Card Factory for £24m. Following the disposal, WH Smith has stated that it has completed its move to becoming a pure play global travel retailer. As a result of this deal Card Factory is now the…
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Jul- 2025 -31 JulyHigh Street
Card Factory opens 1,100th store at Cheshunt retail park
Card Factory has opened its 1,100th high street store in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, as the greetings card and gift retailer expands its national footprint. The new outlet, based at Brookfield Retail Park, welcomed its first customers on 31 July and has created 12 local jobs. Regional manager Maureen Wheele led the…
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29 JulyPeople Moves
Greggs appoints new non-executive director and audit committee chair
The board of Greggs has appointed Robert Moorhead as an independent non-executive director, effective from 1 October 2025. Moorhead will become chair of the audit committee and join the nominations and remuneration committees. His appointment follows the planned retirement of non-executive director Kate Ferry, who will step down from the…
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29 JulyHigh Street
Card Factory acquires Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24m
Card Factory has agreed to acquire online personalised greeting cards group Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24m. Once the deal is complete, Card Factory will be the second largest online card and attached gift retailer in the UK market, according to the group. It added that over time, Funky…
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29 JulyFeatures
Claire’s on the brink: can the chain avoid another collapse?
For decades, Claire’s has been the go-to destination for sparkly earrings, scrunchies and ear piercings – a rite of passage for generations of teenagers. But the glitter is starting to fade. The jewellery and accessories retailer, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more than 2,300 worldwide, has…
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21 JulyHigh Street
Lakeland owner Hilco in race to acquire Claire’s
Hilco Capital, the high street investor behind Lakeland and a former backer of HMV and Superdry, is considering a takeover of Claire’s UK business, according to Sky News. Banking sources have told the outlet that Hilco Capital, who was a recent contender to acquire Poundland, is among the potential bidders…
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