Acquisition of US Airport Book Business for $19m

Smith WH PLC
17 April 2000


WHSmith TO ACQUIRE USA AIRPORT BOOK BUSINESS FOR $19M

WHSmith PLC announced today (17 April 2000) that it has entered into an
agreement to acquire The Benjamin Company Inc. for $19m.

Benjamin operates 17 book stores and news and gift stores in nine airports in
the USA. These include the key airports at Dallas Fort Worth, San Francisco,
LaGuardia, Boston and Seattle where WHSmith is currently not operating.

It is intended to convert a number of the book stores acquired to the
WHSmith.books.co format.

In the year ended 31 December 1999, Benjamin had sales of $26.2m and earnings
before administrative costs, depreciation, interest and tax of $3.6m.

The acquisition will be subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

Richard Handover, WHSmith Chief Executive, said:  'This is another important
strategic development for our US business allowing us to further extend the
international recognition of our brand. The combination of this acquisition
and our existing business gives us a major presence in eight of the top ten US
airports.

'We have been seeking to identify valuable infill opportunities and Benjamin
represents a good opportunity to significantly strengthen our position as the
leading player in this attractive market.'

It is estimated that the transaction will be completed by the end of May.

Enquiries:                          020 7514 9623 / 9624

Tim Blythe, Corporate Affairs Director
Richard Handover, Chief Executive
Keith Hamill, Financial Director