Promotional focus boosts WH Smith airport stores

Gavin Lipsith

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The UK news and books retailer reports good results for its travel-retail stores over the Christmas holiday period

UK-based news and gifts retailer WH Smith has reported increased profitability in its travel-retail and city-centre outlets, driven by improved promotional strategy. CEO Kate Swann told analysts that a more selective approach to promotions had driven gross profit margins.

The company, which pulled out of its Asia/Pacific travel-retail business (which boasted airport stores in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore) in June last year, reported same-store sales in its UK travel-retail outlets up 4% over the Christmas period.