RETAILER WH Smith said like-for-like group sales were down one per cent in the ten weeks to November 8, with total sales unchanged on a year ago as the firm said it continued to make good progress with store openings in both the UK and internationally.

It added that high street like-for-like sales fell four per cent with total sales down five per cent, while its airports and railways unit saw like-for-like sales lift two per cent with total sales up seven per cent in the same period.