Smiths News
{{Short description|English media distribution company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Smiths News PLC
| logo = File:Smiths News logo.png
| logo_size =
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| former_name = Smiths News PLC
| type = PLC
| traded_as = {{lse|SNWS}}
| industry = Distribution
| founded = 2006
| founder =
| hq_location =
| hq_location_city = Swindon
| hq_location_country = United Kingdom
| area_served =
| key_people = David Blackwood, (Chairman)
Jonathan Bunting, (CEO)
| products = Newspapers and magazines, consumables, books
| revenue = {{increase}} £1,103.7 million (2024){{cite web|url=https://www.smithsnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Smiths_News_PLC_Annual_Report_2024.pdf|title=Annual Report 2024|publisher=Smiths News|access-date=10 February 2025}}
| operating_income= {{increase}} £39.1 million (2024)
| net_income= {{increase}} £25.5 million (2024)
| brands = WHSmith News, WHSmith Travel
| services = Books, stationery, newspapers, convenience food
| owner =
| website = {{URL|https://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.{{cite news|url=https://citywire.com/funds-insider/news/wh-smith-to-demerge-news-distribution-next-month-with-one-for-one-share-plan/a274577|title=WH Smith to demerge news distribution next month with one-for-one share plan|date=27 June 2006|newspaper=CityWire|access-date=7 February 2024}}
In April 2014, the company rebranded as Connect Group PLC to reflect the diversity of the company's markets.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/mar/18/whsmith-smithsgroup|title=Smiths News to be rebranded as Connect, severing its print history|date=18 March 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 February 2024}}
The company purchased Tuffnells Parcels Express for more than £100m in November 2014{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/privateequity/11226428/Connect-Group-acquires-Tuffnells-Parcel-Express.html |title=Connect Group acquires Tuffnells Parcel Express|date=12 November 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=7 February 2024}} but, after several years of poor performance under the group's stewardship, sold it for £15m in April 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/connect-group-to-sell-tuffnells-in-15m-deal|title=Connect Group to sell Tuffnells in £15m deal|date=15 April 2020|newspaper=Insider Media|access-date=7 February 2024}}
In October 2020 Connect Group PLC changed its name back to Smiths News PLC.{{cite web | url=https://mediashotz.co.uk/rebranded-smiths-news-reports-51-fall-in-profits-amid-pandemic/|title=Rebranded Smiths News reports 51% fall in profits amid pandemic|date=12 November 2020|newspaper=Mediashotz| access-date=7 February 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.smithsnews.co.uk}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange
Category:Logistics companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Companies in the FTSE SmallCap Index
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