WH Smith PLC will announce preliminary results for the year ending 31 August 2005 on Thursday 13 October 2005. Prior to its close period, the Company today issues the following pre close trading update.
As anticipated, trading conditions in the high street remained challenging during the second half of the year. Despite this, the profitability of our High Street Retail business continued to improve through both gross margin gains and tight cost control. The Travel Retail division continues to perform well and our News Distribution business has also made steady progress. The three to five year plan to deliver value to shareholders that was set out last summer remains on track.
Accordingly WH Smith PLC expects the outcome for the year to 31 August 2005 to be in line with its expectations.
The WH Smith PLC preliminary results investor and analyst presentation for the year ending 31 August 2005 will be held at 9.00 am on Thursday 13 October 2005 at JP Morgan Cazenove Limited, 20 Moorgate, London EC2R 6DA.
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Enquiries to :
WH Smith PLC Investor Relations: Mark Boyle 020 7851 8820
WH Smith PLC Media Relations: Louise Evans020 7851 8850
Brunswick: Tom Buchanan or Pam Small020 7404 5959