Overview

• WH Smith has sold its high street division to Modella Capital for £76 million, marking the end of the WH Smith name on high streets.
• The rebranded high street stores, now TG Jones, will continue offering similar products and services, including Post Office counters and Toys “R” Us sections.
• The travel division, which now generates 85% of the company’s trading profit, posted a 17% increase in profits to £63 million in the first half of the financial year.
• WH Smith is aggressively expanding its international travel retail footprint, with plans to open 60 new stores globally this year, including 26 in North America.
• Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, including tariffs, the company remains optimistic about long-term growth in global travel retail, driven by rising passenger numbers and airport infrastructure investment.