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.
-
Mar- 2023 -6 MarchDepartment Stores
WHSmith to target stationary market with new Curi.o.city stores
WH Smith has reportedly revealed plans to open a souvenir and stationery store called Curi.o.city as it looks to fill the void left by the collapsed paperchase, according to The Times. According to the report, WH Smith will open standalone shops, one under the new fascia in Gatwick airport’s south…
Read More » -
3 MarchHigh Street
WH Smith hit by cyber security attack
WH Smith has been hit by a large cyber security incident which has resulted in company data, including current and former employee data, being hacked by attackers. The group said the attack had no impact on its trading activities, and that its website, customer accounts and customer databases were unaffected…
Read More » -
Jan- 2023 -18 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith revenues up 41% amid strong travel sales
WH Smith has seen total revenues rise by 41% over the 20 week period ending 14 January 2023, with revenues also up by 20% against its pre-pandemic trading results as travel sales picked up. The group attributed its “strong” performance to its UK travel business, which saw total revenue increase…
Read More » -
Nov- 2022 -10 NovemberHigh Street
WH Smith profits soar amid global travel return
WH Smith has reported a headline pre-tax profit of £61m for the year to the end of August, against a £104m loss last year, beating market expectations. It also posted a “significant recovery” in group performance with revenue of £1.4bn, up from £886m in 2021. The company said it would…
Read More » -
Sep- 2022 -13 SeptemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis, Primark, Aldi to shut stores all day for Queen’s funeral
A number of retailers have confirmed they will shut all of their stores on the day of Queen’s funeral on 19 September as a mark of respect. Retailers including John Lewis, Homebase, WH Smith, B&Q, Primark, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Ikea, Poundland and grocers Aldi and Sainsbury’s will shut all of…
Read More » -
7 SeptemberHigh Street
WH Smith buoyed by travel as high street sales take hit
WH Smith expects that full-year trading will be in line with expectations in FY22, as a rebound in its travel business helped mitigate weaker sales across the high street. Total revenue surpassed 2019 levels at 112% in the half-year ended 27 August 2022, while Travel was “comfortably in excess of…
Read More » -
Jun- 2022 -15 JuneHigh Street
WH Smith sales rocket as travel rebounds
WH Smith has seen sales soar ahead of pre-pandemic levels in recent weeks as travel continues to rebound. Group revenues in the 15 weeks to 11 June 2022 were ahead of 2019 levels for the first time at 107%, with a particularly strong performance seen in its Travel business. As…
Read More » -
8 JuneNews
WH Smith names new chairwoman
WH Smith has announced the appointment of Annette Court as its new chairwoman following Henry Staunton’s decision to retire after nine years in the position. The high street chain said Court, who is currently chairwoman at insurer Admiral Group, will join the board as a non-executive director and chair-designate on…
Read More » -
Apr- 2022 -19 AprilOnline & Digital
WH Smith suspends Funky Pigeon sales after cyber security hit
WH Smith has confirmed its subsidiary, Funky Pigeon, has been hit by a cyber security incident that affected part of its systems on 14 April 2022. The group has now temporarily suspended orders from the card and gift retailer and is investigating the incident with external IT specialists, adding that…
Read More » -
Jan- 2022 -20 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith shareholders rebel over CEO bonus
WH Smith has seen its shareholders rebel over its plans to pay its chief executive Carl Cowling a £550,000 bonus, with 46% of the votes at its AGM cast against its remuneration report. The bonus is to go ahead after it received 54% approval, however when taking into account those…
Read More »
