SSP Group posts positive Q1 growth amid uncertain conditions

The SSP Group has posted positive sales growth figures in its first quarter trading update amid what it calls a "degree of uncertainty" over short-term passenger trends.

The group, which operates food and beverage sites in travel locations, reported a like-for-like sales growth of 2.7%, and a 2.9% revenue increase, for the period 1 October-31 December 2014, compared to last year's figures (although total revenue had dipped by 0.1% year-on-year, said the company, when considering it at actual currency rates). This was the first quarter results for the financial year ending 30 September 2015.

Overall, the company's outlook "remained unchanged" from the positive forecast given in its full year results in November 2014, it said, in which it saw a rise in profit, revenue, and like-for-like sales.

Sales figures had been boosted by strong performances in the UK, USA, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, said the company, although it admitted that trading in France and Germany had been more challenging.

The group also said that "a degree of uncertainty continued to exist around passenger numbers in the short-term", but nonetheless said that the group was well-positioned to build on positive trends.

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