The audience is running in a branch of the WH Smith Plc branch in Orpington on January 23, 2025 in London, England.
Dan Kyudod Getty Images News | Gety pictures
British retail stores Who is Smith She looks forward to selling her historical streets to focus on her travel store unit in the latest retail sales kick in the United Kingdom.
The 232 -year -old retailer said on Monday that he was exploring the sale of more than 520 high street stores, which sell newspapers, books and stationery, confirming reports during the weekend that the talks were ongoing.
The company said in a statement on the London Stock Exchange website: “Whsmith confirms that it explores the potential strategic options for this profitable and cash part of the group, including a potential sale.”
He added: “There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and more updates will be provided and if necessary.”
Who Smith – part of FTSE 250 – is doubled on the UK’s travel unit in recent years, with more than 580 travel stores via airports, hospitals, railway stations and highway service areas. Its total largest global travel in the field of travel is 1200 stores in 32 countries, which the company now said, represents three quarters of its collective revenues and 85 % of its commercial profits.
Kate Calvert of Investec said on Monday that the plans are “not a surprise” given the group’s investment in travel operations. In the comments sent via e -mail to CNBC, CALVERT added that WH Smith investors should be moved because of this step.
“You have a smith for travel. Traveling is a long -term structural growth market. If you get rid of the high street, you should get a higher rating over time,” said Calert, head of retail research and consumers in Investec, CNBC via email.
The shares of WH Smith rose about 5.5 % after the announcement on Monday, after it decreased by approximately 11 % in 2024. The last trading was 2.9 % higher.
The move comes at a time when pressure on the retail industry in the UK in the UK is escalating amid the continuous growth of e -commerce.
Local policy changes added to the costs of the United Kingdom, as the government announced in October an increase in the minimum wage in the UK and National insurance (NI) The salary tax paid by employers.
Higher Street Supermarket Series Sainsbury’s On Thursday, it announced that it plans to reduce 3,000 jobs in the United Kingdom, and it follows the warnings earlier this month of the main retailers who warned against forcing them to reduce thousands of jobs this year to cover the highest cost of taxes, according to what he said. reconnaissance By the British retail union.
“The retail sector has witnessed an unprecedented Opex inflation (operating spending) in recent years of increasing the minimum wage and national prices,” said Calvert.
“The government increases in NMW & Ni (the minimum national wage and national insurance) are a very and very unhelpful wind. Retail dealers will need to close unanimous stores.”
