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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Sep- 2022 -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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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