WH Smith’s switch away from Britain’s troubled high street continues to pay off with the retailer reporting strong sales in its burgeoning travel business.
The change of emphasis has been a significant element of Stephen Clarke’s reign as chief executive, which is coming to an end after more than seven years with the travel business overseas in rude health.
WH Smith, which traces its roots back to a small news vendor that opened on Little Grosvenor Street in London in 1792, has 428 travel shops overseas, compared with 94 when Mr Clarke took over. Travel contributes 70 per cent of group operating profits.
