Post Year-End Trading Update

Smiths News PLC

29 September 2026

 

This announcement contains inside information

29 September 2026

Smiths News PLC

("Smiths News" or the "Company")

Post Year-End Trading Update

Trading across FY2026 now expected to be ahead of market expectations

Record contribution from the Men's FIFA World Cup of over £3m

Commenced transformational programme to establish a national distribution footprint

Smiths News (LSE: SNWS), the UK's largest news wholesaler and a leading provider of early morning end-to-end supply chain solutions, is pleased to report that it expects to deliver results for the 52-week period ended 29 August 2026 ("FY2026" or the "Period") ahead of market expectations*.

In the second half of FY2026 demand for collectables was stronger than expected, with a record contribution from the Men's FIFA World Cup of over £3m, bolstering the overall performance of the news and magazines business in the Period. International football competitions typically enhance the Group's performance in alternate years due to timing of the FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships.

Moving into FY2027, trading has started positively and the Company has begun its transformational programme to establish a national distribution footprint to service the new contract wins announced in H2 FY2026, ahead of the first go-live in July 2027. 

The Company intends to provide further guidance on the financial effects of this network expansion at the time of its FY2026 results, which will be announced on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"I am pleased to report positive momentum across the business in FY2026, with results now expected to exceed market expectations, driven by a particularly strong performance in the second half of the year.

"The national contract awards with News UK, Associated Newspapers, Frontline and Seymour are significant milestones for Smiths News and reflect our ongoing commitment and focus on delivering a best-in-class service to our customers, alongside strengthening our long-term relationships with publishers and retailers.

"With the distribution footprint expanding to deliver national coverage in 2027, alongside our strategy to grow other areas like recycling that complement our offering, the Group is well positioned for growth in the coming years."

*Company compiled analyst consensus can be found on Smiths News' website - Analyst consensus. Current adjusted operating profit market expectation for FY2026 is £37.2m.

For further information, please contact:

Smiths News PLC Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer Richard Clay, Chief Financial Officer www.smithsnews.co.uk	via Vigo Consulting
Vigo Consulting Jeremy Garcia / Fiona Hetherington / Safia Colebrook [e-mail]	Tel: [phone]

About Smiths News

Smiths News is the UK's largest news and magazine wholesaler and leading provider of early morning, end-to-end supply chain solutions. Smiths News has been delivering newspapers to retailers across the UK for over 200 years on behalf of the major national and regional publishers. Today, Smiths News delivers to over 22,000 customers across England and Wales on a daily basis, and is in the process of expanding that network to over 38,000 customers.

Smiths News's service capability now extends into a number of new verticals that build on its expertise in warehousing, reverse logistics and early morning final mile services, across its extensive high-density UK delivery network, including a waste recycling collection service, the delivery of additional categories such as books and home entertainment, and extending services in the final mile.

The speed of turnaround and the density of Smiths News' coverage is critical to one of the world's fastest physical supply chains and the Company remains focused on continuing to deliver best in class service to the newspapers and magazines market, whilst exploring opportunities for growth based on this strong foundation.

For more information, please visit: www.smithsnews.co.uk

Person responsible for arranging release of this announcement:

Stuart Marriner, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Smiths News plc, Rowan House, Cherry Orchard North, Kembrey Park, Swindon SN2 8UH

Email: [e-mail]

 

END