WH Smith saw its share price jump by 6% earlier today, after the retailer’s group revenue increased by 3% year-on-year in the 21 weeks to 25 January 2025.

The figures come after the retailer confirmed that it was considering a potential sale of its high street business.

In the 21 weeks to January 2025, WH Smith’s UK revenue increased by 7%, with like-for-like (LFL) sales also rising by the same amount.

Its travel revenue in the UK jumped by 7% year-on-year, while LFL sales increased by 6%.

WH Smith said this was a result of identifying "opportunities to roll out" its "one-stop-shop for travel essentials format", adding that it had seen good results from its new food and extended health and beauty ranges.

As a result, its air, hospitals and rail outlets saw revenue increases by 9%, 8% and 5% respectively year-on-year.

Despite this growth, the group's high street division’s LFL revenue fell by 3% year-on-year, which it said was in line with expectations. It added that it also exited the Christmas trading period with a "clean stock position" and is "on track" to deliver its targeted full year cost savings of £11m.

Group chief executive at WH Smith, Carl Cowling, said: "The group has had a good start to the financial year, and we continue to see strong momentum across our core travel business.

"Our UK travel business has delivered another excellent performance across all channels, as we continue to make good progress with the rollout of our one-stop-shop for travel essentials format.

"In North America, we have seen a notable shift in like-for-like revenue growth, up 3%, as a result of the actions we have taken to enhance our ranges and introduce new categories. We are also delighted to announce that we have won eight stores at Orlando airport, further to our announcement in November and, more recently, a further four stores at Portland airport. We now have a new store pipeline of c.60 stores in North America."

Looking ahead, WH Smith said the group is in a "strong position" and while there is "some economic uncertainty", it is "confident" of another year of good growth in 2025.

Head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, Susannah Streeter, concluded: "This snapshot of struggling sales across WH Smith’s high street estate shines a light on why management seem so keen to sell off its traditional stores and focus on its travel hub business, which is flying high. The difference in sales is stark.

"WH Smith is up against the same challenges which beset Wilko and even Woolworths. It’s a hugely competitive market for stationary, books, music and entertainment with online retailers typically able to undercut bricks and mortar stores with their higher overheads.

"Investors are enthused by the travel arm’s continued success and are confident in the direction the company is taking. There are hopes that buyers will be found to remove what’s been more of a burden than a diversified blessing. However offloading outlets in struggling locations won’t be easy. Given the resonance of WH Smith with the UK public, it’s likely the brand will find a buyer if it’s sold. But it seems inevitable that the nationwide footprint will shrink pretty drastically."

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