# WH Smith turnaround takes hit as profit misses targets

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/wh-smith-turnaround-takes-hit-as-profit-misses-targets/
- Published: 2026-11-12T08:23:23+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T09:23:27+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/wh-smith-turnaround-takes-hit-as-profit-misses-targets/
- Topics: Business, Companies, Culture, Travel

## Key points

- Profit fell 28 per cent to £73m.
- WH Smith missed its reduced £75m target.
- The new chairman has begun a fundamental reset.

## Summary

WH Smith’s turnaround has faltered, with annual pre-tax profit falling short even of the reduced target set after several profit warnings. The result highlights the pressure on the travel retailer from subdued consumer confidence and travel disruption, as its new executive chairman begins a major overhaul.

Profit was £73m for the year to the end of August, down 28 per cent on the previous year and £2m below its £75m target. UK revenue rose 4 per cent to £870m, led by hospital stores, where revenue grew 9 per cent; airport sales increased just 1 per cent on a like-for-like basis. North American revenue rose 9 per cent to £437m, but like-for-like growth there was flat in the 10 weeks to 7 November.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.