WH Smith sees FY earnings at lower end of forecasts.
WH Smith said full‑year pre-tax profit was expected to be around £75m, at the lower end of guidance, reflecting lower trading margins from increased discounts and reduced brand marketing, partly offset by cost and interest savings.
WH Smith
16 September 2026 07:39:51
Source: Sharecast
The retailer reported solid fourth‑quarter revenue during peak summer trading, with strong performances across at UK airports, hospitals and train stations.
Group final quarter like-for-like sales were forecast to rise 2%, with the UK up 4%, rest of the world 3% and North America down 3%.
During the year, the group exited Norway, agreed to exit the Denmark and Sweden markets in early 2027 and will exit the Netherlands on lease expiry in 2027 following a decision not to re-tender the contract.
“This division is being actively managed both to exit unprofitable stores and transition sub-scale markets to a franchise model in order to improve profitability and cash generation,” the company said in a trading update.
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