29 June 2026

This announcement contains inside information

Smiths News PLC

("Smiths News" or the "Company")

Associated Newspapers Limited - National Contract Win

Smiths News (LSE: SNWS), the UK's largest news wholesaler and a leading provider of early morning end-to-end supply chain solutions, is pleased to announce that it has successfully secured a new long-term contract with Associated Newspapers Limited ("ANL"), publisher of 'Daily Mail', 'The Mail on Sunday' and 'The i Paper'. 

The transformational agreement with ANL (the "Contract") is on enhanced commercial terms for Smiths News and includes (i) an expansion of the distribution territories in which the Company is appointed as ANL's exclusive wholesale distributor, thereby effectively securing national distribution of ANL's leading titles across all of Great Britain, to take effect from January 2028 and (ii) an extension in the contract term of our appointment through to July 2037.   

The Contract represents an incremental uplift in revenue from the expanded territories of c.£105m per annum from January 2028.

The award comes in addition to the News UK contract award announced on 17 June 2026 (see RNS No. 5464I) and, in combination, the two contracts represent c.36% of the national newspapers and magazines market having been secured from January 2028 for Smiths News. 

As previously announced, key to delivery of both contracts will be the establishment of an expanded national footprint.  Guidance around the implementation costs, early-life transition costs, benefits of network expansion, as well as dividend and financing arrangements, remains unchanged from our announcement of 17 June 2026.  The Board expects to provide further guidance on the financial effects of both contracts in due course and, in any case, at the time of its preliminary financial results on 4 November 2026. 

Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News, commented:

"We are delighted to announce the extension and expansion of our partnership with ANL through to 2037.

The ANL brands are amongst the most recognisable in the UK and our agreement will allow them to be enjoyed by consumers across Great Britain for many years to come.  The extension also supports retailers through the freezing of delivery service charges for the life of the Contract.

Today's announcement continues to reinforce our position as a trusted partner for our industry and further secures a sustainable future for print news distribution, reflecting our shared commitment to supporting the industry over the long term."

For further information, please contact:

About Smiths News

Smiths News is the UK's largest news wholesaler and leading provider of early morning, end-to-end supply chain solutions. Smiths News has been delivering newspapers to retailers across the UK for over 200 years on behalf of the major national and regional publishers. Today, Smiths News delivers to over 22,000 customers across England and Wales on a daily basis.

Smiths News's service capability now extends into a number of new verticals that build on its expertise in warehousing, reverse logistics and early morning final mile services, across its extensive high-density UK delivery network, including a waste recycling collection service, the delivery of additional categories such as books and home entertainment, and extending our services in the final mile.

The speed of turnaround and the density of Smiths News' coverage is critical to one of the world's fastest physical supply chains and we remain focused on continuing to deliver best in class service to the newspapers and magazines market, whilst exploring opportunities for growth based on this strong foundation.

For more information, please visit: www.smithsnews.co.uk

Person responsible for arranging release of this announcement:

Stuart Marriner, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Smiths News plc, Rowan House, Cherry Orchard North, Kembrey Park, Swindon SN2 8UH

Email: [email protected]