WH Smith is prepared to pick up more sites of former Woolworths stores as its trade is boosted by the demise of the variety retailer.

Kate Swann, chief executive, said the newsagent and bookseller had opened two stores that were previously Woolworths stores among six new high steet shops in the first half. It would look at other former Woolies sites as it aimed to take the number of new shops to 10 in the year to August.