What type of business is WH Smith?

WH Smith is a retailer operating bookstores, newsagents, and convenience shops across the United Kingdom and internationally, with a significant presence in travel retail locations including airports and train stations. The company generates revenue through the sale of books, magazines, newspapers, stationery, and general merchandise. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, WH Smith operates as a mid-cap retailer with a market position focused on high-footfall travel and high street locations.

Sector: Media & Entertainment
Market: MAINMARKET

Insight

Who is running the WH Smith placing?

The accelerated bookbuild placing for WH Smith is being run by Barclays, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan Cazenove as joint global coordinators and bookrunners, with BofA Securities acting as financial adviser.

Updated 10 Jun 2026

Insight

What FY26 headline profit before tax guidance has WH Smith given?

WH Smith revised its FY26 outlook to expect headline Group profit before tax and non‑underlying items of £75m–£90m.

Updated 10 Jun 2026

Insight

How are analysts viewing WH Smith in the near term?

Near-term analyst sentiment on WH Smith is cautious.

Updated 10 Jun 2026

Insight

Where does WH Smith have a significant travel-retail presence?

WH Smith has a significant travel-retail presence in airports and train stations.

Updated 10 Jun 2026

Insight

What is WH Smith currently doing across multiple geographies?

WH Smith is in an active turnaround phase across multiple geographies.

Updated 10 Jun 2026

Identifiers

Ticker: LSE:SMWH
Market: MAINMARKET
ISIN: GB00B2PDGW16
LEI: 2138001KJNGUJ34G7X91

Learn more on:

Wikidata GLEIF Companies House

Timeline

WH Smith shares slump after profit outlook cut and placing

Deutsche Bank trims WH Smith target to 550p

WH Smith sets FY26 headline profit guidance at £90m-£105m and suspends dividend

WH Smith director Colette Burke to step down on 30 June

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