WH Smith investors get first dividend in three years after sales jump

Sales in WH Smith’s travel and hospital outlets jumped 131%. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

WH Smith will pay a dividend for the first time in three years as it expects a strong Christmas after a return to foreign holidays helped the books-to-stationery retailer return to the black.

The company reported a £63m profit in the year to August, after a loss of £116m a year earlier, as sales rose 58% to £1.4bn.