WHSmith revenue grew 7% in 2024 compared with the previous year. Its high street business is also performing in line with expectations.
The group expects to open an additional 37 Toys R Us shop-in-shops before Christmas to reach 76 in total.
“We have ended the financial year in a strong position, delivering a performance in line with our expectations with good growth across our travel businesses”
In a pre-close trading update, the group also announced a £50m share buyback with the intention to return surplus cash to investors.
WHSmith group chief executive, Carl Cowling said: “We have ended the financial year in a strong position, delivering a performance in line with our expectations with good growth across our travel businesses. Our UK division performed particularly well over the peak summer trading period.”
The rollout of Toys R Us to more locations is part of WHSmith’s emphasis on highly disciplined space management to maximise returns.
