WH Smith unveils Post Office plan

WH Smith has unveiled plans to open 80 Post Offices in its high street stores, as first reported in Marketing Week (MW June 29,2006). The books and stationary retailer says the move follows a “successful” trial in six outlets.

The company announced the plans today amid its six-month interim results to February 28, which show high street like-for-like sales down 8%. Its total like-for-like sales were down 6% while total group profit was up 7% before tax to £59m.

The retailer puts the drop down to “rebalancing” its high street business towards its core categories as well as competitive trading.

The company has 545 high street stores and 262 outlets through its travel business in airports, railway and bus stations. It has also recently rolled out a further 52 WH Smith Travel motorway stores.