Pre Close Trading Update

WH SMITH PLC

PRE CLOSE TRADING UPDATE

24 August 2016

WH Smith PLC will announce preliminary results for the year ending 31 August 2016 on Thursday, 13 October 2016. Prior to its close period, the Company today issues the following pre close update.

WH Smith PLC expects the outcome for the year to 31 August 2016 to be in line with expectations.

Our Travel business continues to perform strongly with good sales across all of our channels. The new store opening programme both in the UK and internationally is on track. We have been pleased with the customer reaction to our recently opened stores in Alicante airport in Spain, and we continue to see further opportunities in the international news, books and convenience travel market.

The profit performance of our High Street business in the second half is in line with our expectations as we annualised a strong performance last year driven by colour therapy for adults. We continue to deliver gross margin improvements and cost savings in line with our profit focused strategy.

2016 PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The WH Smith PLC preliminary results investor and analyst presentation for the year ending 31 August 2016 will be held at 9am on Thursday, 13 October 2016 at

JP Morgan, One John Carpenter Street, London, EC4Y 0JP.

Enquiries:

WH Smith PLC

Mark Boyle Investor Relations 020 7406 6320

Nicola Hillman Media Relations 020 7406 6350

Brunswick

Fiona Micallef-Eynaud 020 7404 5959