27 Jan, 2025 07:28 27 Jan, 2025 07:28

WH Smith confirms it is looking to sell high street stores

WH Smith

1,039.00p

16:40 28/03/25

-4.68%

-51.00p

WH Smith confirmed it was looking at potential strategic options for its high street stores, including a possible sale of the “profitable and cash-generative” unit after media speculation over the weekend.

FTSE 250

19,864.98

17:14 28/03/25

n/a

FTSE 350

4,722.51

17:14 28/03/25

n/a

FTSE All-Share

4,671.27

16:39 28/03/25

n/a

General Retailers

4,494.42

17:14 28/03/25

-0.12%

-5.27

The retailer said it had become a “focused global travel retailer” over the past decade. Its travel business – which operates in airports and rail stations - now has more than 1,200 stores across 32 countries, providing three-quarters of group revenue and 85% of trading profit.

“There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate,” the company added in a statement on Monday.

WH Smith’s high street operation is made up of around 500 shops, the first of which was opened 230 years ago. It employs around 5,000 people nationwide.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com