British retail faces a reckoning as 232-year-old chain looks to sell its high street stores

British retailer With smith is looking to sell its history high street business to focus on its travel store unit in the latest hit to the uk’s retail industry.

The 232-year-old retailer said monday that it was exploring the sale of more than 520 high street stores, which sell newspapers, books and stationery, stationery, confirming reports over the weekend talsend

“WHSmith confirms that it is exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash generative part of the Group, including a possible sale,” the company said in a statement on the London Stock Exchange website.

“There can be no certain that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate,” it added.

Who Smith – Part of the Ftse 250 – Has Been Doubleing Down on Its Uk Travel Unit Over Recent Years, with Over 580 Travel Stores Across Airports, Hospitals, Railway Stations and Motorway Service Arest. Its wider Global Travel Business Totals 1,200 Stores Across 32 Countries, Which the Company said now accounts for three -Quarters of its groups and 85% of its trading protit.

Investec’s Kate Calvert called in a note mind that plans was “not a surprise” Given the group’s investment in its travel operations. In emailed comments to cnbc, calvert added that with smith investors should be booyed by the move.

“You Own Who Smith for the Travel Business. Search at Investec, Told CNBC Via Email.

Shares of who Smith Climbed Around 5.5% Folling The announcing monday, having fallen near 11% in 2024. They were last trading 2.9% higher.

The move comes as pressure mounts on the uk high street retail industry amid the continued growth of e-commerce.

Domestic policy changes have added to costs for uk businessWith the government in October announcing Increases to the uk’s minimum hours house and the National insurance (Ni) Payroll tax paid by employers.

High Street Supermarket Chain Sainsbury’s Announced on Chi Plans to Cut 3,000 jobs in the uk it follows warnings earlier According to a Surveyy By the British Retail Consortium.

“The retail sector has seen unprecedented OPEX (Operational Expendriture) Inflation in Recent Years from National Minimum Wage and Rates Increases,” Calvert Said.

“Government Increases in NMW & NI (National Minimum Wage and National Insurance) Are a huge headwind and very unhelpful. Retailers will need to close to close unprofitalable stores,” She added.