SSP Group, the global food and beverage operator serving airports, train stations and travel hubs, said group sales rose 4% year-on-year on a constant currency basis in the third quarter, with like-for-like sales also up 4%.
The performance masked a sharp regional divergence, with three of the group's four regions maintaining momentum while APAC & EEME saw like-for-like sales fall 2%, a trend the company first flagged at its interim results in May.
Gulf markets traded at roughly 65% of prior-year levels during the quarter, with the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Pacific also softer, at 3% and 2% like-for-like growth respectively, as local and connecting passenger traffic thinned across the network.
The UK & Ireland was the standout performer, with sales up 8% and like-for-like growth of 11%, aided by seasonal trading and a modest boost from lapping last year's M&S cyber incident.
North America delivered 4% constant-currency sales growth, with 2% like-for-like growth and further restaurant additions across its existing airport footprint, while Continental Europe held sales broadly flat with 2% like-for-like growth as the group pushes ahead with its operating improvement plan.
For the nine months to 30 June, group sales rose 5% on a constant currency basis.
"Trading for the Group as a whole has remained in line with our expectations through Q3," SSP said, adding that it remains on track to meet full-year guidance assuming current operating conditions persist.
The company has completed £76m of its £100m share buyback launched in October 2025.
Full-year results are due on 8 December.
