Smiths News

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 2025 Smiths News, retrieved 28 January 2026^
  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^