15th Nov 2007 07:01
WH Smith PLC15 November 2007 15 November 2007 WH SMITH PLC Interim Management Statement WH Smith PLC is today publishing its first Interim Management Statement asrequired by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency rules,relating to the period from 1 September to 10 November 2007. CURRENT TRADING The combined like for like sales for WH Smith High Street and WH Smith Travelfor the first ten weeks of the financial year were -1% compared to the sameperiod last year. WH Smith High Street like for like sales were -2%, supported by a strong earlyrelease schedule in books; our expectations for the Christmas trading period asa whole remain unchanged. WH Smith Travel like for like sales were +1% in theperiod (excluding tobacco, like for like sales in WH Smith Travel were +3%). The Post Office opening programme in our High Street business, the new storeopenings in Travel and the financial position of the Group remain in line withour expectations. PROSPECTS Whilst we remain cautious about the consumer environment and anticipatecompetitive trading in our markets over the key Christmas period, the currentfinancial year has started as we expected. - ENDS - Enquiries: WH Smith PLCMark Boyle Investor Relations 020 7851 8820Sue Barratt Media Relations 020 7851 8850 BrunswickTom Buchanan 020 7404 5959Pam Small This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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