WHSmith’s plans for the high street and travel sector

National World - LocalTV

WHSmith is in discussion to sell its high street division of stores. The retailer has said it is shifting its focus to its more profitable travel retail business in airports, train stations and hospitals. At the moment, the high street stores contribute just 15% of the groups annual trading profit. WHSmith is set to close 17 stores.

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00:00WH Smith is in discussion to sell its High Street division of stores. The retailer has

00:05said it is shifting its focus to its more profitable travel retail business in airports,

00:11train stations and hospitals. At the moment, the High Street stores contribute just 15%

00:16of the group's annual trading profit. WH Smith is set to close 17 stores. A statement

00:22from the retailer said that WH Smith confirms that it is exploring potential strategic options

00:28for this profitable and cash-generative part of the group, including a possible sale. The

00:34retailer originally opened its first shop 230 years ago. While some of the brand's

00:40High Street stores are set to close, WH Smith is also reportedly planning to open 90 new

00:45stores at different sites. In a statement to BBC News, WH Smith also described its partnership

00:52with the post office as an important part of its business and have confirmed that post

00:56offices will stay if a sale goes ahead.

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