![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wh-smith-makes-major-announcement-about-stores-as-boots-plans-to-close-300-shops/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_WH-Smith-figures.jpg&description=The books and stationery giant will instead focus on opening new stores in UK airports and train stations, as well as opening shops in the US and Europe The boss of WH Smith has confirmed the retailer has no plans to open any new UK high street stores. The books and stationery giant will instead focus on opening new stores in UK airports and train stations, as well as opening shops in the US and Europe. WH Smith said last month it plans to open 120 new shops worldwide after its sales surged following the end of travel restrictions. The company saw sales in its UK travel arm jump to £314million, up 66% from £189million compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, its high street sales edged 1% lower to £266million. WH Smith currently has around 550 UK high street stores. Chief executive Carl Cowling told the BBC : "We've got a very healthy high street business in the UK. But we've got no ambitions to grow that. "When you look at the main cities across England, Wales and Scotland, we are present in those cities.' WH Smith said group revenues increased by 41% to £859million for the six months to February 28, compared with the same period last year. Pre-tax profits rose to £45million from £18million in the previous half-year, the company said. But the retailer said investment into its high street stores will continue. WH Smith recently kicked off a new partnership with Toys R Us, which will see the toy retailer open concessions inside WH Smith stores. The first of nine new concessions opened this month. The update from WH Smith comes after Boots announced plans to shut 300 branches across the UK. Its US owner Walgreens will close the stores over the next 12 months, with four having already been axed since the start of 2023. The move will reduce the chain's portfolio from around 2,200 to just 1,900, although the exact locations of sites earmarked for the chop have not been made clear. The closures come despite Boots posting strong quarterly results with retail sales up 13.4% and a){kind=link}
The books and stationery giant will instead focus on opening new stores in UK airports and train stations, as well as opening shops in the US and Europe
The boss of WH Smith has confirmed the retailer has no plans to open any new UK high street stores.
The books and stationery giant will instead focus on opening new stores in UK airports and train stations, as well as opening shops in the US and Europe.
WH Smith said last month it plans to open 120 new shops worldwide after its sales surged following the end of travel restrictions.
The company saw sales in its UK travel arm jump to £314million, up 66% from £189million compared to a year ago.