Swindon-based WH Smith has reported a serious coronavirus impact on its current trading, with the slump in passenger numbers through rail and airports as a result of travel bans leading to the closure of a majority of its stores at travel hubs.
Trading figures showed that in April group total revenue was down by 85 per cent on the same period last year, with travel hub stores revenue down 91 per cent and high street revenue down 74 per cent. The retailer’s 130 or so stores in NHS hospitals remain open, along with 203 stores which include Post Office services.
However, WH Smith’s online businesses have performed strongly, particularly in books where it saw a 400 per cent increase in sales during the past month.
The company says its plans are on track for phased re-opening of stores in the second half of its financial year.
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