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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Jan- 2022 -19 JanuaryCoronavirus
WH Smith sales remain below pre-Covid levels
WH Smith has announced that its revenue remains below pre-pandemic levels for the 20 week period ending 15 January 2022, with the total group revenues at 85% of 2019 levels for the same period. In travel UK, revenues came in 70% of 2019 levels for the 20 week period, with…
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10 JanuaryPeople Moves
WH Smith begins hunt for next chairman
WH Smith has reportedly launched its search for a new chairman, with headhunters understood to be approaching prospective candidates on behalf of the group, according to Sky News. Headhunters at Lygon Group are said to be searching for a successor to Henry Staunton, who has chaired the group since 2013. …
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Nov- 2021 -11 NovemberHigh Street
WH Smith to return to profit as travel rebounds
WH Smith has welcomed a strong start to its financial year, assuring investors it is set to return to profit in 2022 as business and travel continues to rebound. Travel revenue now stands at 84% of the October 2019 level, following the continued easing of restrictions post-pandemic. The group said…
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Sep- 2021 -21 SeptemberFeatures
September’s retail results: The winners and losers
Retail can be argued as the industry that has shifted the most as a direct result of the global pandemic, and continues to change as we enter a post-pandemic period. The rise of e-commerce has been accompanied by high profile high street closures, supermarkets have become the centre of private…
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1 SeptemberHigh Street
WH Smith anticipates lower profitability for 2022
WH Smith has anticipated that the levels of profitability for the year ending August 2022 will be at the lower end of market expectations as a result of the ongoing effects of Covid-19. Prior to its preliminary results for the year ending 31 August 2021, the retailer revealed that total…
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Jul- 2021 -8 JulyHigh Street
WH Smith to open 18 new stores across UK airports
WH Smith has announced that it will open 18 new technology and accessories stores across some UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, London Luton, Birmingham and East Midlands. The stores will trade under the North American, InMotion brand with the group anticipating that the new openings will deliver…
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May- 2021 -20 MaySupermarkets
Moto Hospitality appoints retail director
Moto Hospitality has announced the appointment of Nikki Rogers as its first retail director, reporting directly to Nick Tatum, the company’s chief customer officer. Rogers previously worked for Blakemore as proposition and food solutions director and before that held various senior leadership roles at BP. Moto is one the UK’s…
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4 MayHigh Street
WH Smith mulls takeover of Dixons Carphone’s airport stores
WH Smith is reportedly eyeing up a takeover of Dixons Carphone’s airport stores, after the electronics business closed 35 of its travel shops following the effects of the pandemic. According to The Telegraph, Carl Cowling, WH Smith’s chief CEO, said the exit was “another opportunity” to roll out its own…
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Apr- 2021 -29 AprilHigh Street
WH Smith launches fundraise to open 100 new travel stores
WH Smith has unveiled plans to open around 100 new travel stores after launching a £325 bond offering in convertible bonds, despite reporting losses in its half-year results. The group, which also secured a £250m revolving credit facility with an extended maturity to 2025, said the funds will aid the…
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Mar- 2021 -9 MarchHigh Street
WH Smith lockdown trading exceeds expectations
WH Smith has revealed that the group has delivered a “better than expected performance” during the latest lockdown period. According to the high street retailer, it has “adapted well” to the evolving trading environment and despite reduced footfall, revenue in its High Street business in January 2021 was at 74%…
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