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

Smiths News PLC
FormerlySmiths News PLC
Company typePLC
LSESNWS
IndustryDistribution
Founded2006
Headquarters,
Key people
David Blackwood, (Chairman)
Jonathan Bunting, (CEO)
ProductsNewspapers and magazines, consumables, books
BrandsWHSmith News, WHSmith Travel
ServicesBooks, stationery, newspapers, convenience food
RevenueIncrease £1,091.9 million (2023)[1]
Increase £38.8 million (2023)[1]
Increase £25.1 million (2023)[1]
Websitewww.smithsnews.co.uk

History edit

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 edit

  1. ^ a b c "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). Smiths News. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  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 edit