WHS Travel to open 15 UK stores this year

High Street sales at W H Smith continue to tumble – down 4% like-for-like in the past 15 weeks. However, its Travel arm continues to trade strongly, with sales up 5% like-for-like, as the company revealed it is set to open 15 more UK shops this year.

In the 15-week period from 1st March to 10th June 2017, total group sales at W H Smith were up 2% with like-for-like sales flat, the company said today (14th June).

In its High Street business, the bookseller and stationer is focused on its profit strategy and said its sales over the last quarter– down 4% in total and down 4% like-for-like – were in line with expectations. “Gross margin improvement and cost savings have been delivered in line with plan,” the company added.

In its Travel arm, a focus on customer service, along with “execution, space and category management” have helped sales to rise 8% in total and 5% like-for-like. A boost in passenger numbers has also helped and the company is set to open a further 15 stores in the UK this year. It has also won six retail outlets in Rome, which are slated to open in July.

A spokesperson for W H Smith said: “Whilst there remains some uncertainty with regard to the broader economic environment, we continue to focus on profitable growth, cash generation and investing in the business to position us well for the future. We remain confident in the outcome for the full year.”

In April, the retailer reported that spoof humour titles had helped to drive profit in the first six months of the year.