WH Smith has posted the results of its most profitable year since 2002 amid a challenging high street climate.
Food-to-go was attributed to the retailer’s overwhelming success as a surging demand sparked its most promising annual sales in 14 years.
Across its travel stores sales rose like-for-like by four per cent. Despite a comparable two per cent fall in sales of its high street stores this left the overall group sales up by three per cent.
In the 12 months up to August 31 the chain sold more than 10 million meal deals.
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Despite the success of Zoella, its book club‘s YouTube star, book sales fell by two per cent over the year amid tough competition.
The prominence of the adult colouring craze also began to fade.
The retailer has sought to capitalise on the success of its travel sector, with profits rising nine per cent in the year to £87 million, by expanding to 34 airports and 22 countries as well as upping the numbers of staff in these stores.
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