UK retailer WH Smith Plc has trimmed its profit forecast for the coming year, citing a sharp decline in sales across its airport outlets. The company says that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dampened customer traffic and reduced in‑flight purchases, forcing a reassessment of earnings expectations.

To shore up its balance sheet, WH Smith has unveiled a capital‑raising plan that will see new equity issued to investors. The move aims to cushion the chain against further volatility in travel demand and to fund potential store‑level adjustments. Investors will now weigh the cost of dilution versus the benefit of a stronger financial base.

The decision comes as airport retailers worldwide report lower footfall amid geopolitical uncertainty. WH Smith’s stock fell 3.2% in early trading after the announcement, reflecting market concern over a weakened revenue stream. The company’s leaders argue that the capital injection will enable selective store closures and a shift toward higher‑margin products.

Market watchers now focus on how the capital raise will affect shareholder value and whether the company can reverse its sales decline. Analysts note that the move signals a strategic pivot toward resilience in a volatile travel sector. WH Smith’s next quarterly report will reveal whether the funding cushion translates into recovered profitability.