All WHSmith articles
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AnalysisWhy WHSmith boss Cowling sees ‘big opportunity’ from the pandemic
After a bruising year for both the high street and travel hubs amid the coronavirus pandemic, WHSmith suffered losses of £69m in the 12 months to August 31, compared with £155m profit last year.
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News
WHSmith tumbles to full-year loss as sales slide
WHSmith has fallen into the red at the full-year mark as the retailer’s sales across travel and the high street were “heavily impacted” by the pandemic.
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Analysis
Analysis: Vaccine joy sparks share price snakes and ladders
Welcome news of a coronavirus vaccine has sparked a stock market shift as investors rushed to buy and sell shares. Big-name retail and other consumer stocks shunned during the pandemic were back in fashion, while lockdown stars took a hit.
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Analysis
Interview: WHSmith duo Cowling and Keir – why our travel division isn’t grounded
As WHSmith launches its one-stop-shop at Heathrow Terminal 2, chief executive Carl Cowling and managing director Toby Keir tell Retail Week why they believe the sky’s the limit for the travel division – despite tough times on the high street.
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Photo gallery
Store gallery: WHSmith’s new ‘blended essentials’ Heathrow store
WHSmith’s latest travel retail concept, launched in Heathrow airport’s Terminal 2, features a mix of health and beauty, gifts, books and snacks to create a travel one-stop-shop.
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News
WHSmith demands rent cuts as pandemic hits revenues
WHSmith has become the latest retailer to demand rent cuts from landlords in a bid to contain spiralling costs and offset sliding sales due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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News
WHSmith restructuring plans put 1,500 jobs at risk as sales plummet
WHSmith is in consultation with staff over restructuring that could lead to as many as 1,500 redundancies across the entire business.
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Analysis
Analysis: How WHSmith is preparing for travel retail to take off again
The world’s travel plans have gone awry during the coronavirus pandemic, depriving WHSmith of shoppers in its travel stores, but boss Carl Cowling is confident he can pilot the retailer to a safe landing.
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News
WHSmith sales decimated by coronavirus as first-half profits dip
WHSmith’s sales have been obliterated by the coronavirus as lockdown restrictions decimated its travel division.
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News
WHSmith raises £165m through share placing amid coronavirus crisis
WHSmith has successfully raised more than £165m to shore up its balance sheet amid the current ongoing health crisis.
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News
WHSmith launches equity fundraising to beat coronavirus downturn
WHSmith plans to raise cash through an equity issue as it battles the business impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
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News
WHSmith and Sainsbury’s extend supply tie-up in hospital stores
WHSmith and Sainsbury’s have extended their supply partnership to hospitals to help support NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Opinion
Coronavirus: Cash, agility and customer focus will mark retail’s winners
The likely collapse into administration of Laura Ashley is not solely the result of coronavirus. The pandemic was sadly the last nail in the coffin of a retailer that has struggled to appeal to shoppers for some time.
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Opinion
Opinion: Coronavirus – what retailers do now will define them in the future
As 21st-century consumers, we’ve gotten used to having the world at our fingertips. Then seemingly overnight, all the stuff we take for granted is in question – access to healthcare; groceries on shelves; the ability to travel, go to school, socialise with friends.
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News
WHSmith warns on profit as coronavirus hits travel business
WHSmith has slashed its full-year profit forecast as the coronavirus pandemic takes it toll on its travel division.
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News
WHSmith calls for rent payment shake-up for high street stores
WHSmith has called for landlords to review its high street rental agreements following tough trading conditions.
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News
Ex-WHSmith boss Clarke takes new senior role at vet chain
The former chief executive of WHSmith has re-emerged in a senior leadership role with an international chain of vets, less than three months after leaving the retailer for a sabbatical.
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News
WHSmith Christmas sales rise despite high street decline
WHSmith has reported a rise in total sales over the festive period, however like for likes slipped as the retailer’s strong travel performance was dampened by a fall in high street revenue.
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Analysis
New year, new you? The retailers in need of reinvention
Many people have started the new year with a mission to reinvent themselves. Lose weight, get more organised, find a new job. Which retailers could benefit from adopting a similar approach and what could their reinventions look like?
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News
Moonpig hits landmark sales figure
Online greetings card specialist Moonpig has reported sales of £100m bolstered by an increase in demand for personalised cards.
