UK retailer WH Smith has experienced a drop in sales during the last few months of 2009.

High street retailer WH Smith is pleased with its performance over the last six months of 2009 despite recording a drop in like-for-like sales.

In the firm’s high street division, like-for-like sales dropped 4% in the 21 weeks to 23 January. Total Group sales were down 2%.

Excluding entertainment, like-for-like sales were down 1%. In travel, total sales were up 2% and like-for-like sales had grown 2% for the 21 weeks.

However, WH Smith has said that its travel division made good progress and it continued to deliver its strategy in its high street stores.

Kate Swann, Group Chief Executive, said: “The Group delivered a good performance during the period. We made further progress in our High Street business and our Travel business continues to perform well, despite soft passenger numbers at airports.

“Although we remain cautious about consumer spending, we have planned accordingly and are confident in the outcome for the full year.”
High street retailer WH Smith is pleased with its performance over the last six months of 2009 despite recording a drop in like-for-like sales.

In the firm’s high street division, like-for-like sales dropped 4% in the 21 weeks to 23 January. Total Group sales were down 2%.

Excluding entertainment, like-for-like sales were down 1%. In travel, total sales were up 2% and like-for-like sales had grown 2% for the 21 weeks.

However, WH Smith has said that its travel division made good progress and it continued to deliver its strategy in its high street stores.

Kate Swann, Group Chief Executive, said: “The Group delivered a good performance during the period. We made further progress in our High Street business and our Travel business continues to perform well, despite soft passenger numbers at airports.

“Although we remain cautious about consumer spending, we have planned accordingly and are confident in the outcome for the full year.”