Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 3527C

WH Smith PLC

12 November 2009

 



12 November 2009

WH Smith PLC

Interim Management Statement

WH Smith PLC is today publishing its Interim Management Statement as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency rules, relating to the period from 1 September 2009 to 7 November 2009.

CURRENT TRADING

Total Group sales in the first 10 weeks of the financial year were -1% compared to the same period last year.

WHSmith Travel like-for-like sales were -2%, in line with our expectations. Although passenger numbers in Air remain soft, we are well placed to benefit when passenger numbers recover.

WHSmith High Street like-for-like sales were -4% in the period, in line with our expectations. We continue to focus on delivering our strategy to rebalance the mix of our business towards our core categories.

FINANCIAL POSITION

The Group's financial performance in the current year has started in line with the market's expectations.

Further to our announcement on 15 October 2009 of our intention to return up to £35m of cash to shareholders via a rolling share buyback programme, we have purchased approximately 1.1 million shares to date at an average price of 503.905p. 

PROSPECTS

Whilst we remain cautious about the consumer environment and anticipate competitive trading in our markets over the key Christmas period, we have planned accordingly.  

-ENDS-

Enquiries:
WH SMITH PLC
Mark Boyle	Investor Relations	020 7851 8820
Sarah Heath	Media Relations	020 7851 8850
BRUNSWICK
Tom Buchanan		020 7404 5959

 

END

 

 

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