Global travel retailer WHSmith said it is “well positioned” for its peak summer period as travel sales continue to increase.
Total travel revenues increased 7% on a constant currency basis and 5% on a like-for-like basis in the 13 weeks to May 31.
The UK travel division is also growing with total revenue increasing 5% and like-for-like revenue rising 6%.
In the UK, like-for-like revenue across air, hospitals, and rail grew 7%, 3% and 6% respectively.
North America sales grew 7% and 2% on a like-for-like basis, which the group said reflects strong spend, its enhanced ranges, broadened categories and “resilient nature of our business”.
Like-for-like sales across North America’s air business, which includes the Travel Essentials and In Motion branches, increased 4%.
WHSmith said it is making progress in growing its rest of the world division, as like-for-like sales improved 7% on last year. It added the opportunities in this sector are “significant”.
The outlook for the full year is unchanged as it is on track to deliver in line with expectations, though it is mindful of the “broader economic and geopolitical uncertainty”.
The group is in the process of selling its UK high street business to Modella Capital, as the firm will rebrand these stores into TGJones. The sale is expected to be complete by the end of June.
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