Smiths News

Smiths News PLC

Formerly	Smiths News PLC
Company type	PLC
Traded as	LSE:  SNWS
Industry	Distribution
Founded	2006
Headquarters	Swindon , United Kingdom
Key people	David Blackwood, (Chairman) Jonathan Bunting, (CEO)
Products	Newspapers and magazines, consumables, books
Brands	WHSmith News, WHSmith Travel
Services	Books, stationery, newspapers, convenience food
Revenue	£1,103.7 million (2024) [1]
Operating income	£39.1 million (2024) [1]
Net income	£25.5 million (2024) [1]
Website	www.smithsnews.co.uk

Smiths News is a distributor of newspapers, magazines, books and consumables, headquartered in Swindon, England. It is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index

History

The company, originally established as "WHSmith News", was renamed Smiths News PLC on its demerger from WHSmith on 1 September 2006. ^[2]

In April 2014, the company rebranded as Connect Group PLC to reflect the diversity of the company's markets. ^[3]

The company purchased Tuffnells Parcels Express for more than £100m in November 2014 ^[4] but, after several years of poor performance under the group's stewardship, sold it for £15m in April 2020. ^[5]

In October 2020 Connect Group PLC changed its name back to Smiths News PLC. ^[6]

References

1. "Annual Report 2024" (PDF). Smiths News. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
2. "WH Smith to demerge news distribution next month with one-for-one share plan". CityWire. 27 June 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
3. "Smiths News to be rebranded as Connect, severing its print history". The Guardian. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
4. "Connect Group acquires Tuffnells Parcel Express". The Telegraph. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
5. "Connect Group to sell Tuffnells in £15m deal". Insider Media. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
6. "Rebranded Smiths News reports 51% fall in profits amid pandemic". Mediashotz. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2024.

External links

• Official website