REG - WH Smith PLC - Trading update

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RNS Number : 3788V  WH Smith PLC  05 March 2026

WH Smith PLC

 

5 March 2026

 

Trading update for the 26 week period to 28 February 2026

 

Solid first half performance across the Group

 

The Group has delivered a solid performance over the 26 weeks to 28 February
2026 with total revenue up 5% on a constant currency basis versus the prior
year.

 

Group revenue in the period compared to 2025 has been:

 

                              Revenue 26 Weeks to 28 February 2026
                              Total          Total constant currency versus 2025  LFL

                              versus                                              versus

                              2025                                                2025
 UK                            2%             2%                                  2%
 North America                 5%            10%                                  1%
 Rest of the World and Other  11%             8%                                  6%

 Group                         5%             5%                                  2%

 

UK

 

Total revenue in the UK was up 2%, with LFL revenue also up 2%.

 

In Air, total revenue increased 1%, with LFL revenue up 2%. As expected, total
growth has been impacted by temporary store closures across all Heathrow
Airport terminals as we continue to invest in the quality of our UK store
portfolio. Our refurbished flagship stores are expected to open in April.

 

The Hospital channel delivered another good performance with total revenue up
7% and LFL revenue up 4%. In Rail, total revenue was up 1% with LFL revenue
down 2% against the backdrop of continuing consumer headwinds.

 

North America

 

Total revenue in North America increased by 10%*, with LFL revenue up 1%.

 

In Air, total revenue was up 15%*. The Travel Essentials business continues to
perform strongly with total revenue for the 26 week period up 22%* and LFL
revenue up 6%, driven by new store openings over the last 12 months and good
spend per passenger growth.

 

We continue to see the same trends across our InMotion business as we reported
in December 2025, with total revenue down 1%* compared to the prior year and
LFL revenue down 4%. As previously disclosed, a review of the InMotion store
portfolio is underway.

 

In our Resorts business, total revenue declined 6%* with LFL revenue also down
6%, largely driven by a continued reduction in Las Vegas visitor numbers.
Following a review of this business, we have closed 3 fashion stores in the
period and will execute our plan for the remaining fashion stores portfolio
during the balance of the year.

* on a constant currency basis

 

Rest of the World and Other

 

Total revenue increased 8%* and 6% on a LFL basis, as a result of the
annualisation of new store openings in the prior year.

 

We continue to actively manage our international store portfolio and will exit
sub-scale markets as contracts expire or through targeted portfolio actions.
During the period, we closed 4 uneconomic stores at Düsseldorf Airport at
lease end.

 

Outlook

 

The Group has delivered a solid first half performance and is on track to
deliver Group guidance for the year.

 

Looking ahead, we are mindful of the geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle
East and the impact that this is having on passenger numbers across our key
markets. We will continue to monitor the situation and focus on what we can
control, including executing against our clear strategic priorities and
strengthening our focus on cost and cash discipline.

 

The Group will announce its Interim results on 23 April 2026.

 

 

Enquiries:

 

 WH Smith PLC
 Mark Boyle      Investor Relations  07879 897687
 Nicola Hillman  Media Relations     01793 563354

 Brunswick
 Tim Danaher                         0207 404 5959

 

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