SSP Group Q3 Trading Update

Q3 TRADING UPDATE

LFL SALES +4%; ON TRACK TO DELIVER FULL YEAR EXPECTATIONS

SSP Group plc ("SSP" or "the Group"), a leading global food and beverage operator, issues a Trading Update covering the third quarter ("Q3") of its 2026 financial year (1 April to 30 June 2026) and the nine-month period ended 30 June 2026.

Group trading performance

Group sales in Q3 were up 4% year-on-year on a constant currency basis including like-for-like ("LFL") sales growth of 4%. This performance reflected sustained quarter-on-quarter trading momentum in three of our four regions but a significant contraction in passenger numbers in our APAC & EEME region due to the conflict in the Middle East, in line with trends initially described at our Interim Results in May.

*Other comprises impact from the staged exit of the German MSA business

**APAC & EEME comprises Asia Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf representing 12%, 2% and 2% of annual group sales respectively

In North America, against a backdrop of more subdued passenger numbers towards the end of the quarter, sales grew by 4% YoY on a constant currency basis, with LFL sales growth of 2% following improvements to our proposition. Net gains of 2% largely reflected an increase in the number of restaurants across our existing airport footprint in the region.   

In Continental Europe, sales remained stable overall YoY which included like-for-like sales growth of 2%. We continue to focus on driving profitability in the region through our operating improvement plan. In addition, we are making good progress in implementing the actions identified by the European Rail review.

In the UK & Ireland, sales rose by 8% YoY with LFL sales growth of 11% supported by positive seasonal trading, a strengthened customer proposition and robust operational delivery. Performance also included a modest benefit from lapping last year's M&S cyber incident.  

In APAC & EEME, LFL sales fell by 2% YoY and slowed by 10% quarter-on quarter due to the effects of the Middle East conflict which have led to lower passenger numbers in the Gulf and in key travel hubs across the region. For Q3 as a whole, the Gulf markets traded at c.65% of prior year levels.  Lower-than-planned LFL sales growth in the surrounding Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Pacific regions of 3% and 2% respectively reflected less local traffic as well as lower connecting volumes across the network.

For the nine-month period ended 30 June 2026, Group sales were up 5% on a constant currency basis including LFL sales of 5%.

Outlook

Trading for the Group as a whole has remained in line with our expectations through Q3, with like-for-like sales growth of 4%.  While trading conditions in the Gulf and the surrounding region remain uncertain, our focus remains on what we can control, notably customer and operational delivery through our peak summer trading period. We are making good progress with our 'Focus 26' operational plans which position us well to strengthen profitability, cashflow and returns on investment. Assuming the current operating environment remains substantially unchanged, and at today's FX rates¹, we remain on track to achieve our expectations² for the Group for the full-year.

Full details can be found in the press release here.

¹If the current spot rates (as of 22 July 2026) were to continue through this financial year, we would expect a currency impact on revenue and operating profit of +0.3% and (1.6)%, compared to the average rates used for 2025.

²Our expectations for the full-year, as stated at our Interim Results, include:

·      EPS delivery within a range of 13.6-14.8p (post share buyback)

·      Improving free cash flow (pre-dividend and pre-share buyback) to >£100m

·      Further progress in ROCE towards our medium-term target of 20%