WH Smith has posted a “strong” first half (H1) performance, with its travel arm delivering revenue and profit growth. However, revenues from its High Street arm struggled, as it prepares to sell off its non-travel stores to Modella Capital.

Reporting on its interim results for the six months ending 28 Feb 2025, it said revenues from UK travel stores improved by +7% year-on-year, while total travel trading profits across the group in H1 rose +12% to £56million, up from £50million in 2024.

“The Group has had a good first half with consistent like-for-like growth across all our travel businesses,” Carl Cowling, Group Chief Executive at WH Smith, said, meaning its is “well-positioned for peak summer trading.”

While sales and profits for its travel division took off, revenues at its High Street stores fell -7%, with trading profit falling from £22million in 2024 to £15million in H1 of this year. However, in its statement it said that its High Street business had “delivered a performance in line with market expectations.” In March, WH Smith agreed a sale of its High Street stores to Modella Capital, which also owns Hobbycraft, in a deal worth £76million – the transaction is expected to be completed in Q4 of the retailer’s current financial year.

Looking ahead, WH Smith said it remains on track to deliver heading into H2. “The second half of the financial year has started well, and we remain on track to deliver full year results in line with market expectations. We are mindful of the increased level of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, however given the resilient nature of our business, we are well-positioned to benefit from the growth opportunities in global travel retail,” Cowling added.