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		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/weather-hits-wh-smith-sales-figures.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="Like-for-like sales at WH Smith's high street stores slumped seven per cent in the eight weeks to January 22" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/min-weather-hits-wh-smith-sales-figures.jpg" alt="Like-for-like sales at WH Smith's high street stores slumped seven per cent in the eight weeks to January 22"/></a></p>
<p>The snow has bitten into sales figures from WH Smith but the stationery and books chain offset the weather misery by revealing a boost to margins.</p>
<p>Like-for-like sales at its high street stores slumped 7% in the eight weeks to January 22, compared to a 4% decline in the previous quarter.</p>
<p>At railway stations, airports and other travel hubs, the company reported a 3% decline in the 21 weeks to the same date but accompanied this with a better-than-expected update on margins as it focuses on costs and more profitable stock.</p>
<p>Chief executive Kate Swann described the performance of both divisions as resilient and said the company remained on track to meet expectations.</p>
<p>She added: &#8220;Our staff worked extremely hard during this period to maintain the best possible service for our customers.&#8221;</p>
<p>Analysts had been expecting a 5% like-for-like sales decline at the high street stores and a 1% fall at travel stores in the period, but those predictions were made before the Arctic weather hit trading.</p>
<p>WH Smith&#8217;s like-for-like sales have declined in recent months, as the company moves away from lower-margin entertainment items such as CDs and DVDs and concentrates on selling its core range of confectionery and stationery.</p>
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