Bookseller and stationer WHSmith will be reporting on the 14 weeks to June 5 in its interim management statement on Tuesday.

Last week the retailer garnered publicity it could have done without when it was named Britain’s worst shop in a survey by consumer magazine Which?

Analysts might beg to differ, because the retailer has consistently performed strongly under the leadership of Kate Swann.

Next week, however, analysts will be looking anxiously for any signs of a decline at the retailer’s outperforming travel arm as a result of the volcanic ash cloud that grounded flights and closed airports in April.

At the time, WHSmith said the profit impact was unlikely to be significant, but admitted the disruption would have a “reasonably significant impact on sales for a few days”.

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