![Simon Smith, SSP UK and Ireland chief executive](/sites/default/files/styles/single_page/public/images/ssp_simonsmith.jpg?itok=u1qIumzf)
Happy with the results, SSP said it had a ‘good start’ to the financial year (which ends 30 September) with highlights as below:
- Total group revenue increased by 7.7% (actual exchange rates)
- Like-for-like sales +2.5%
- Net contract gains up 3.8%
While total group like-for-like sales for 1 October-31 December were similar to those seen last year in the UK, North America and Rest of the World, SSP said Continental Europe results were impacted by protests in France and redevelopment of some of sites.
Net contract gains were also ‘slightly ahead’ of expectations, driven by ‘significant contributions’ from North America and the Rest of the World.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2019, SSP commented: “The new financial year has started well and the pipeline of new contracts is encouraging.
“While a degree of uncertainty always exists around passenger numbers in the short term, we continue to be well placed to benefit from the structural growth opportunities in our markets.”