SSP sales boosted by airport travel disruption

SSP, the operator of brands including Upper Crust and Ritazza, has seen a boost in sales driven by people spending a longer time at airports.

The group, which runs outlets in travel locations, said revenue had been driven by an increase in people going abroad and “longer passenger dwell times” in some markets.

Travellers have been faced with cancellations and delays to their flights as the aviation industry struggles with staff shortages amid a boom in demand.

SSP’s third quarter sales in the UK averaged 82% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019 driven by an increase in airport demand, but trading at its railway station sites was impacted by industrial action.

The group said there had been a “good recovery” across its global portfolio, with sales reaching 75% of 2019 levels, while passenger numbers in China and Hong Kong remained low due to ongoing travel restrictions.

SPP said it was confident it would return to 2019 performance levels in the medium-term and expects to deliver sales of around £2.1b this financial year.

“While there remains considerable uncertainty in the macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, we are well-positioned to benefit from the continued recovery of the travel sector, notwithstanding the current challenges of airport disruption, labour shortages and industrial action across certain air and rail markets,” the company said.

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