WHSmith suffers 30% slump in high street trading profit

WHSmith’s high street division has witnessed a stark 30% fall in trading profit as it readies for its disposal to private equity firm Modella Capital.

- BY SASKIA KOOPMAN

For the half-year running up to 28 February 2025, the retailer's high street branch reported profits of £15m, a drop from the previous year’s £22m for the same timeframe.

Moreover, sales dipped by 7%, summing to £239m.

Ahead of the impending sale of its 482 stores to Modella for £76m, confirmed in late March, WHSmith’s high street arm is seeing performance wane.

The transaction signals a pivot towards focusing on the burgeoning travel retail segment for WHSmith.