// WHSmith revenue rises as travellers return post-Covid
// Across its travel arm, the business posted a 77% increase in sales year-on-year
WHSmith sales surge over the last 20 weeks as more people travelled over the Christmas holidays, the first not marred by Covid restrictions.
The high street retailer said total group revenue increased by 41% year-on-year for the 20 weeks to January 14, and by 20% compared with 2019.
Its travel arm reported a 77% increase in sales year-on-year and a 48% increase on pre-pandemic levels – despite passenger levels remaining well below 2019 levels. However sales in its rail stores slipped 13%.
WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling said: “This strength, combined with the ongoing improvement in passenger numbers across the globe, means that we are confident of another year of significant growth in 2023.”
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
“The group is in its strongest ever position as a global travel retailer.
“This strength, combined with the ongoing improvement in passenger numbers across the globe, means that we are confident of another year of significant growth in 2023.”
WHSmith opened 40 new stores over the year and won new tenders at Reagan National airport in Washington and Palm Springs airport in the US.
It also opened three more of its InMotion tech stores in Italy at Rome Fiumicino airport.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
